Voce Del Palio wins the Ballyhane Stakes at Naas © Photo Healy Racing
Voce Del Palio upset some better fancied rivals when running out a surprise winner of the featured Ballyhane Stakes at Naas.
Trained by Joseph O'Brien, for his mother Anne Marie, the homebred Bated Breath colt showed a determined attitude to prevail under jockey Declan McDonagh.
Held up in the initial stages, as Oisin Orr cut out the running on English raider Rousing Encore Voce Del Palio moved closer to track the leaders at the half way point of the race.
The O'Brien runner could be seen travelling ominously well at the two furlong marker and once McDonagh switched out to challenge at the furlong pole, he found a more than willing partner. Matilda Picotte who was up there throughout on the stands side, ran a huge race for connections, keeping on strongly to take the runner-up spot.
“He's been a good horse and I thought his price was a bit disrespectful to him,” said O'Brien.
“Declan gave him a lovely ride and he handled the drop back to six really well.
“He's a solid horse, he was just dropping in trip which we weren't sure about but he obviously handled it well. He was always going to get it well and was dropping back from group company.
“He's in at Tipperary on Friday but I'd say we'll probably go to the Curragh for the Sportsman race, the sales race.
“This is a huge pot and it's fantastic. The race is very well supported every year with such a big field and is always a very strong race.
“State Of Rest was fourth in it a couple of years ago. Everyone always runs the horses that are qualified.
“It's a fantastic race and credit to Ballyhane, the EBF and everyone who puts the money into it.
“I was sixth in it as well (with Montesilvano and I'd say he's a stakes horse. There is no doubt the second is a stakes filly and you need a stakes horse to even be placed in it.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
