Amanirenas takes full advantage of Fairyhouse opportunity

Amanirenas who only got in as first reserve, made the most of that opportunity when streaking clear of her field over a furlong out to record a facile win in the first division of the Coast To Curragh Cycle August 26th Handicap at Fairyhouse.

The Michael Grassick trained four-year-old who had impressed when coming from well off the pace to win at Leopardstown earlier this season, repeated the dose here in what had beforehand looked a competitive heat.

Given her wide draw, jockey Robbie Colgan had little option but to ride a waiting race, however, even he must have been surprised at how easy the daughter of War Command travelled into the race.

Perhaps conscious of not arriving there too soon, Colgan sat motionless as the filly moved closer early in the straight before pushing the button and quickening clear over a furlong out.

It was a fifth winner of the season for Curragh based trainer Michael Grassick.

Michael Grassick said, “She lost her way a bit and then things started to click again. She likes a bit of space in her races and switching wide.

“She got no luck in Naas the last day and then flew home the last 100 yards.

“I’ll see how she is but I’d be half-tempted to run her back quick at Leopardstown next week. There is a seven-furlong apprentice handicap and she’s won twice there before.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.