Blinkers work the oracle on Baltray Lady

First time blinkers worked the oracle on Baltray Lady as she made the breakthrough in the opener at Bellewstown this afternoon, the NewKey Homes Ltd. Nursery Handicap.

With some solid efforts to her name, the Joseph O'Brien-trained bay was sent off a 9/2 chance (from 6s) under Dylan Browne McMonagle.

A E10,000 purchase at the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale, she soon disputed and gained an outright advantage from the three furlong pole.

Soon increasing her lead, the 67-rated victor kept on well when ridden from the furlong pole.

The fast finishing Donnacha O'Brien-trained Now (12/1) reduced the deficit to a length at the line, with 3/1 favourite Great Mover a further two and a half lengths away in third under Billy Lee.

"She did it well," Browne McMonagle reflected.

"A little stride slow from the gates, but I was happy to ride her nice and forward, keep it simple on her. She travelled around good and won well.

"It is her first time in blinkers, so they have probably sharpened her up a little bit. She was a little bit lazy the last day in Galway with Declan (McDonogh) maybe.

"She was (strong in the final quarter of a mile today) and from the three (pole), Billy (Lee) was on my outside and I knew he was struggling up around the top so, when I had him beat, I was confident I would have the rest of them.

"She's good and tough, and she stayed going well."

STEWARDS REPORTS

S. Foley, rider of Let It Linger trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount had to take a check on the bend. The Raceday stewards subsequently reviewed this incident and were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

The Raceday Stewards enquired into an incident early in the home straight involving Escorpio ridden by N.M. Crosse, unplaced, and Hes Bullet Proof ridden by W. Joyce, unplaced, where it appeared Escorpio struck the rail. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. N.M. Crosse stated that he was out the back for a brief period, he had enough room and took a precautionary check. W. Joyce stated that his mount ran wide off the bend and as he returned to his original position, his mount started to tire and he was slower than he had expected getting to the rail. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham