Alandi Grabs the Limelight

All eyes may have been on Yeats (blowing hard post race) in the Vintage Crop Stakes, but when he performed well below par, beaten from under three furlongs out, it was left to Alandi (7/1 into 4/1) to take centre stage, leading a furlong and a half out before going on to see off Hindu Kush by three and a half lengths.

The winner, trained by John Oxx and ridden by Michael Kinane, had won his only previous start, a mile and a half maiden at the Curragh on heavy ground in October last year. A few niggling problems reportedly kept him off the track until he made that victorious bow.

Oxx said: "We had plenty looking to buy him at the end of last season as a hurdler but he is very well bred and we decided to hold on to him. He holds back a bit in his work and I was a bit worried as to if he was fit enough. He should improve from the run and will next go for the Saval Beg Stakes (May 28th) and possibly followed by the Curragh Cup (June 27th). (EM)