17 July 2021

Beauty Inspire stays unbeaten at the Curragh

17 July 2021

Beauty Inspire got on top in the closing stages to maintain his unbeaten record in the Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes at the Curragh

Ger Lyons’ two-year-old backed up his course success three weeks earlier to bag the Group Three prize over six and a half furlongs in determined fashion.

Sent off the 1-2 favourite it was only in the final half-furlong Beauty Inspire asserted after Hadman had made the running.

The Mehmas colt appreciated the slightly extra distance from his debut to win by a length and a quarter from Andreas Vesalius in the hands of Colin Keane.

Shane Lyons, assistant to his brother, said: “He wasn’t as visually as impressive as the first day, but the first day was only a maiden.

“To be honest it looks like he hasn’t learned an awful lot from the first day. He was very keen in the race and probably disappointed himself a little, as he’s a horse that can’t hit the front too soon because he’s still a baby.

“He did fight for Colin after. He’s a Christian at home and he’s obviously a very good horse.”

He's a lovely horse and we would have been disappointed today if he had been beaten

Asked about plans, he added: “We’ll take him home and let him tell us when he’s ready again. It could be the Phoenix or the Middle Park. He has entries in York as well.

“We think he’ll come on an awful lot from that, it’s only his second race. It’s a tough ask to come out there and do that and he’s done it.

“Colin said he loved the ground, which is a help. He’s a lovely horse – we knew that the first day – and we would have been disappointed today if he had been beaten.”

Beauty Inspire was cut to 33-1 from 50-1 for the 2000 Guineas with Betfair and Paddy Power.

Major Power and Danny Sheehy on the way to winning the Paddy Power Scurry Handicap (PA Wire)

Major Power was a shock 50-1 winner of the Paddy Power Scurry Handicap.

Ridden by 3lb claimer Danny Sheehy, the Edward Lynam-trained grey held the late challenge of Hightimeyouwon by a head to land the €59,000 first prize.

“I heard they were all backing the other horse, Rough Diamond. He ran OK but probably wouldn’t be battle hardened,” said Lynam.

“It’s nice to get and I’m delighted. If he could turn out as good as the one that won it last year (Romantic Proposal) we’d be doing all right, but that might be a bit hopeful.

“I’m delighted to win with him. He was a good horse for the Friday nights at Dundalk.

“I’ve been moaning to Garry O’Gorman (handicapper) that he’s too high on the turf, so I’d say his turf rating will go back up to the same as his all-weather rating.”

Georgie Benson steered Elite Trooper Grey (14-1) to victory in the Kildare Village Ladies Derby Handicap.

The five-year-old, trained by Denise Foster, had not run on the Flat for 645 days but had a spin over hurdles just 16 days earlier.

She emerged late on the scene to beat Crassus by a length and a quarter, with Drayton Cross three and a quarter lengths away in third.

Georgie Benson gave Elite Trooper Grey a fine ride (PA Wire)

“He loved that good ground, the uphill finish and the sun on his back,” said Foster.

“She gave him a great ride. She held on to him and when she brought him a little bit wide he just went ‘oh, I’m gone’. It was a very good ride.

“She was so composed. She’s ridden in point-to-points and rides out in Cullentra a lot. She’d be one of the good work riders and schools over fences as well. She’s a very accomplished rider. That was great to see her do that.”

Foster added: “He’s a lovely horse and there should be something for him in Galway. It’s lovely to have a dual-purpose horse like that who can do both.

“He’s a quality horse and he enjoyed that. Getting his head in front will make him feel good about himself.”

Dinard Rose (4-1) gave trainer Nina Walsh her first success on the Flat when regaining the lead close home in the Aquaturf Handicap.

Ever Present looked like taking her 100 per cent record to three when heading Dinard Rose in the final furlong – but the latter rallied in game fashion for 3lb claimer Andrew Slattery to get the verdict by half a length.

Dinard Rose gets the better of Ever Present at the Curragh (PA Wire)

Walsh said: “I’m delighted, that’s brilliant. This is where I had my first winner as a jockey and it’s nice to have my first winner on the Flat here.

“I’m delighted she’s come back to form and delighted to have her back.

“I basically just have her to run. I had a point-to-pointer that I didn’t sell as a store, but he won in the spring so I only have her.

“I’m delighted to trick around with her and she’s a great lead for the young horses. She’s a great yardstick.

“Noel (Meade) did a brilliant job with her. I’ve moved back up home and that’s why I took her as I had time to do my own thing with her, and I had my licence.

“I said I might as well take her back and I’m delighted I did as I get a bit of fun out of her. She’s been running consistently.”

Walsh trained the winner of a steeplechase, Blaze of Fire, at Killarney eight years ago under her maiden name of Nina Carberry.

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