Marbling pips Nectaris in Brownstown cracker

The Ger Lyons-trained Marbling got up on the line to prevail in a cracking finish to the featured Irish Stallion Farms EBF Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse this afternoon. Nectaris made a bold bid from the front in the Group 3 contest over seven furlongs and was strongly pressed in the closing stages.

There was nothing between her and Marbling passing the line with the latter just having her head down at the right time to secure a nose victory under Gary Carroll.

The 14/1 winner had been third in handicap company at the Curragh last time and was rated 93 coming into today's race.

“This is great, a Kingman filly getting a Group 3 like that. It's fantastic,” said Lyons.

“We've always had faith in her but we just didn't know if she was in between trips or whatever.

“Gary said if he got beat it would have been his fault because he pulled his stick through and she wandered a bit.

“It's job done now with a Kingman filly. The likes of Sh Boom and her that we keep in training we know that they are black-type but it's just a question whether they can get it.

“It's very competitive over here and I'm not a great man for travelling so when we get it here we earn it. It's important for her and it's job done.

“The saddle slipped on the other little filly (Affogato - 6th). That's her problem, there's not much of her. I thought she was lame when Colin stood up on her so I'm glad she's okay and she'll live to fit another day.”