First Group winner for McCreery

A mile looked to be Fiesolana #8217;s optimum trip as she had bagged four races at that trip, but dropped to six furlongs she powered home at 10/1 in the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes. Tickled Pink had been sent over the Irish sea by Lady Cecil and was heavily backed all day from 3/1 to an SP of 6/4 to win for the late Sir Henry Cecil.

Tom Queally was on board the favourite and set out to make all. The four-year-old filly was still going well as the field turned for home, but Queally was quickly at work as Boston Rocker on the outside and Fiesolana on the inside started to get motoring.

With a furlong to go it was between Fiesolana and Boston Rocker(14/1) and the former was driven out to the line by Colm O’Donoghue to win by a length and a quarter.

O’Donoghue’s ride was praised by Willie McCreery who said: “That was a great ride. He’s a Group 1 jockey. The plan was to jump out and go, but he never panicked. I said whatever you do don’t rush her.

“It was lucky all the others came off the rail. She came up the worst of the ground, but she likes an ease. I’m lucky to have her.

“I don’t know where she’ll go. I entered her in the Group 2 Kilboy Estate Stakes race over a mile and one at the Curragh [July 21, day after Irish Oaks day].

“I’m a genius now! I had six seconds in Listed races last year. It’s great to get a Group winner. She’s in great form and they win nothing at home!

“She’s loving her work and her racing. Colm said she’s a tough hardy filly.” Hanky Panky (8/1) stayed on well for third, two lengths adrift of the winner.

Lady Cecil sent out a double today - Morpheus at Nottingham and Songbird at Yarmouth.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson