Double for Manning as Pearl battles gamely

After winning the sixth on Level Of Intensity Kevin Manning quickly doubled-up aboard Pearl Of The West in the concluding Racing Again July 22nd Fillies Maiden.

The Pat Fahy trained daughter of Teofilo was beaten just a short head into second on her last start at Limerick, but was later demoted to third.

Sent off the 5/2 second favourite this evening, she attempted to make all under Manning.

She was ridden and pressed from early in the straight, and looked destined for the runner-up spot when headed by Frima over a furlong from home.

However, she battled back gamely inside the final furlong, regaining the lead in the closing stages, going on to score by a length.

The aforementioned Frima, who was returned the 8/11 favourite (from evens), had to settle for second under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld. Flaming Sea (9/1) ran well to finish third, another length and a half back under Billy Lee for Conor O'Dwyer. The front three went twelve lengths clear of the fourth.

Pat Fahy said afterwards: "That was good and very important for us as we've very few for the Flat.

"It's nice to get a little bit of luck as you don't get much of it. I'm delighted for Martin Cullinane (owner) as he took what happened in Limerick well and he deserves that.

"The last day he got trapped in and had to make a move and they moved as well which looked dramatic. It's unfortunate because if he had waited a fraction the gap would have come.

"When you have a missed opportunity like that there is pressure next time and she beat a good filly from a top yard today.

"She stays well and if you go through her form she was always going to be a good filly. There was a horse in behind her that won here today.

"On her first run on Champions weekend she stood in the stalls and let them off but finished strongly. I don't think she's ever run a bad race for us.

"It's only when she's stepped up in trip that the best has come out.

"She's had two quick runs and we'll see what Martin wants to do now. I'll give her an entry in the Munster Oaks to have her in there and see where we go from there."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson