Racing:Grace O'Malley put up a courageous performance to come out on top in a fantastic three-way finish to the Kerry Group Noblesse Stakes at Cork.
Pat Smullen set out to make all the running on the Dermot Weld-trained filly, but she was hounded in the closing stages by Karasiyra and Unity.
The result could have gone either way but Grace O’Malley (7-2) stuck her neck out on the far rail to get the verdict on the nod by a short head. Unity was just a neck back in third.
“It’s a great day for Refuse To Bend (stallion) with Sarafina winning the French Oaks in France,” said Weld’s son Kris. “Everybody is delighted. That’s her second year in a row. She was brave and tough, making all and hanging on. It was a great ride from Pat.
“She’s in foal to Shamardal. We might have a look at the Lancashire Oaks for her. She’s a beautifully bred filly.”
Ger Lyons looks to have a progressive two-year-old in Clondinnery, who ran out a convincing winner of the Listed Rochestown Stakes. The 7-4 favourite was soon in front and pulled out more when challenged to defeat Moment Of Weakness in the hands of Keagan Latham.
Lyons’ brother Shane said: “It was a toss up whether to come here or go for the Coventry at Royal Ascot.
“The next step for him will be the Railway Stakes at the Curragh on Derby day. Depending how he gets on there it will tell us where we go with him. He’s a very professional horse at home and we think he’ll be an even better three-year-old.”