Esculenta proves tough to record first win

Esculenta showcased her tenacity at Gowran Park as she successfully fended off Fools Glory s late surge to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.

The Acclamation filly was competing for the second time under Ray Cody's guidance, having achieved second place on her debut at this venue, over ten furlongs, last month.

In the mile contest, Dylan Browne McMonagle guided Esculenta to the front, and the duo battled gamely in the closing stages.

The 15/2 outsider looked set to beat off Miramis until Fools Glory closed the gap with a late run in the final stages, pressing the winner and falling short by a head at the finish line.

Esculenta recorded her first victory in her thirteenth outing, having placed six times before.

Cody said:- “It’s brilliant to get her head in front and that will probably do her confidence good. Dylan said she has a great cruising speed but flattens out a bit in the finish.

“The owners (Ballygallon Stud) would love to get a bit of black type for her, maybe a Listed race at a sharp track making the running.

“Dylan said you could drop her back to seven. She is a good honest filly and it’s a lovely pot to win today.”

(Quotes by Alan Magee)