Racing:Aspectoflove gave John Oxx yet another big-race success when landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Garnet Stakes at Naas. Fran Berry partnered the 13-2 shot to a two-length victory over She's Our Mark in the Listed contest, with Mad About You a length away third.
Mad About You looked like justifying favouritism when she hit the front but Berry had Aspectoflove in her slipstream and swept past just inside the final furlong.
Oxx also saddled Zaralanta, who was unplaced in the hands of Mick Kinane.
“She’s in the Autumn Sales at Newmarket so we’ll have to discuss with the owners as to what they want to do,” said the Currabeg trainer.
“She ran well at Ascot even though she finished 10th of 17. She never got a run through with the slow pace.
“Ryan Moore who rode her that day said he was very happy with her and she ran very well despite having no run. She’s a tough and genuine sort.”
Oxx doubled up as the Kinane-ridden Erdiyna (22-1) prevailed in a tight finish to the Naas October Handicap.
Davy Condon rode his first winner since returning to action earlier this month after breaking his ankle at Kilbeggan in July.
He steered Baron De’l to victory for Eddie Harty in the Kill Hurdle.
Condon took the 2-1 shot to the front at the final flight and the six-year-old went on to beat Un Hinged by four lengths.
“He’s class and he won well today. It was his first time winning left-handed so that was a bit of a positive,” said Harty.
“Once there was steady pace the race played into his hands. Our immediate target is the Grade Three WKD Core Hurdle at Down Royal next month.”
Luck Or Design got off the mark at the third attempt in impressive fashion in the Tifrums EBF Maiden.
Placed in his first two starts, the Andrew Oliver-trained colt made the most of his experience, being smartly away in the hands of Chris Hayes.
Luck Or Design (6-1) established a clear lead over a furlong out and slammed the 4-5 favourite Encompassing by five lengths.
“He disappointed a bit last time out but we just put it down to greenness and he did it well today,” said Oliver.
“Chris said he picked up well for him and he’s got great cruising speed and is very straightforward type. I think he’s a very good horse and we’ve always liked him. He’ll make a good stakes horse.”
Hayes was denied a quick double when he was pushed into second place on Dance Hall Girl in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden by Duchess of Foxland (20-1).
The Mark Fagan-trained filly was always handy but she did drift over from the centre of the course towards the far rail and in the process slightly hampered the runner-up.
There was a stewards’ inquiry after she got home by three-quarters of a length in the hands of 3lb claimer Emmet McNamara, but the places remained unaltered.
Beat Surrender (10-1) would not give in for Johnny Murtagh and just held Moonreach in a desperate finish to the valuable Derrinstown stud EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery.
Ger Lyons’ youngster, wearing blinkers for the first time, was always in the firing line having grabbed the far rail, and won by a short head.
“The blinkers really perked him up today and he showed he had plenty of speed in York. This was always the plan and it all worked out well to make it even more sweeter,” said the trainer’s brother Shane.
“He’s a big-framed horse and he’s going to make a lovely three-year-old.”