You Got To Me leads home her rivals under Hector Crouch© Photo Healy Racing
Two years on from his Irish Derby success with Westover, Ralph Beckett added another Classic to his glittering CV, as You Got To Me landed the Juddmonte Irish Oaks.
Successful in an Oaks Trial at Lingfield in May, the Nathaniel bay since finished fourth in the Epsom showpiece before again occupying the same position in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot.
Sent off a 15/2 chance this afternoon (from 25s in early shows) and fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time, the 103-rated victor was settled in mid-division on the inner by Hector Crouch and was eighth with three furlongs to go.
Soon pushed along and angled to the outer, she got to the front with just over a furlong to race and found plenty when ridden, coming home three-quarters of a length to the good.
Returned the 3/1 favourite, Content came from well off the pace and finished a never nearer second under Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien.
Involved in a barging match with the winner a furlong and a half from home, Paddy Twomey's Purple Lily (9/1) was another length-and-a-half back in third.
"It's hard to put what that means into words. It's a very, very special day and I'm extremely thankful to Ralph and to Valmont and to Newsells Park Stud for keeping the faith in me and this filly," Crouch, who was recording his first Classic success, reflected.
"I'm a bit emotional to be honest, it means an awful lot. I've always had a tremendous amount of faith in her, she's a bit of a nutter but when she's good, she's very good. I can't believe it, it's unbelievable.
"I was a touch slow away and I had to take it as it came. She was very tough and very brave when I needed her."
Beckett added: "She was training well in the spring when perhaps we weren't clicking, and she did it the hard way at Lingfield.
"It didn't really work out in the Oaks and she went a bit hard in the Ribblesdale, a downhill start there over 12 furlongs at Ascot - it can happen there.
"A tongue strap on today probably helped, it just gave her something else to think about.
"Hector said he had to barge through everywhere to get a position and to keep his position. She's a very brave filly.
"The plan was to be forward and kick on from the top of the hill but you always have to have a plan B. Hector is not a man that panics and he knew what was going to happen after five strides and rode a race to fit her."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident in the closing stages involving Lava Stream ridden by D. Tudhope, unplaced, and War Chimes (FR), ridden by J.A. Heffernan, placed eight, where it appeared Lava Stream had to check. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
C.T. Keane, rider of Caught U Looking trained by Noel Meade, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount lugged left up the straight.
J.A. Heffernan, rider of War Chimes (FR), trained by David Menuisier (in GB), reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung badly right in the straight.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
