Tiger Belle and Ben Coen in full stride© Photo Healy Racing
Tiger Belle gamely took Listed honours at 11/1 in the Arqana Irish EBF Marwell Stakes at Naas.
She availed of stall one to break smartly along the far rail while the favourite, Cherry Blossom on debut, stumbled coming out of the stalls to lose early momentum.
Tiger Belle took the far side group along and was closely attended to by Brighter a stablemate of Cherry Blossom.
Tiger Belle, the overall leader, showed good pace to increase her lead at the furlong pole and was kept up to her work and was all out close home to just hold on from the closers. Storm Miami thrust late to force the photograph while British-raider Indispensable came home well, for third on the stands' side closely followed by a keeping-on Cherry Blossom.
The winner prevailed by a nose from Storm Miami (10/3).
“We were chasing black-type and we got it, we didn't think we were going to stay!” said trainer Ado McGuinness.
“Ben (Coen) said she's a tough, tough filly. She was out a bit on her feet in the last 50 yards but she's very fast.
“Coming here I thought this track was going to be too stiff for her. When you are looking for black-type and these races come up you have to try. She's going to win no black-type at home.
“He gave her a super ride. They split in a seven runner field but I think no matter what side you are on, the fastest horses win the races.
“Where we go next I don't know, she is for sale so she will be sold at some stage. She's black-type now and that's what matters, our job is done with her.
“She's very fast and she's tough but she just about gets the five. If you had a very easy fast track for her she'd take some beating.
“She had the rail there and Ben was very good on her.
“I won a Birdcatcher here with a two-year-old a few years back, but this would be my biggest two-year-old winner.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
