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- Scarlett O'Hara a winning spare for Crosse
Donal Murphy
Scarlett O'Hara a winning spare for Crosse
Scarlett O'Hara leads home her rivals under Nathan Crosse
© Photo Healy Racing
Scarlett O'Hara deservedly made the breakthrough in the Montane Developments Supporting Relay For Life Fillies Maiden, providing Nathan Crosse with a winning spare ride.
A fractured collarbone ruled Shane Foley out of this evening's action, with Crosse subsequently picking up four of his six rides.
Sixth on her sole start as a juvenile, the Jessica Harrington-trained victor filled the runner-up spot on her two previous starts this term, going down by just half-a-length at Leopardstown last month.
Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time this evening and sent off the 13/8 favourite, the Frankel bay raced in second, improving to lead with over two-furlongs to race.
Soon ridden, she kept up the gallop all the way to the line, coming home a length-and-a-half to the good.
Newcomer Bindi Sue (8/1) finished a never nearer second under Dylan Browne McMonagle for Joseph O'Brien, while Arid (7/1) was half-a-length back in third.
"It was nice to get her head in front. The cheekpieces helped her travel a bit and she was always finding all the way up the straight," Harrington commented.
"She has a good pedigree. We put her in the Ulster Derby this morning but I don't know whether she will go there or for a Listed race.
"She could even go a mile and six."
Nick Nugent representing owner Pat O'Kelly added: "It was John Clarke's funeral today. He would have done the matings for Miss O'Kelly and was advising her so it was quite appropriate on the day of his funeral that the filly should break her maiden.
"He would have booked the mare to Frankel and provided a bit of divine help today."
STEWARDS REPORTS
Following a request from broadcasters, the Raceday Stewards granted permission for a one minute delay to this race
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined All Time Great (USA), trained by A.P.O'Brien, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee