O'Neill's Desert justifies market support

The well-supported Tamam Desert justified her position at the head of the market, as she narrowly got the better of Medici Venus in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Fillies Maiden.

A E27,000 Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale purchase, the Eoghan O'Neill-trained bay, who holds an entry in the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket, was tenth of 18 on debut at Leopardstown in July.

Backed from 8s into 3/1 favouritism this evening, she raced in mid-division under Billy Lee, making progress on the outer approaching the straight.

Ridden with over a furlong to go, the Jaber Abdullah-owned victor came with her challenge inside the final 150 yards, getting up in the final strides to prevail by a short head.

The aforementioned Aidan O'Brien-trained runner-up proved friendless with punters and was returned at 4/1 from early shows of 6/4.

The Tom Cooper-trained Famed Again (66/1) ran a fine race and was another length and three quarters back in third, while the well-backed Deressa (4/1 from 10s early) had no luck in running from the furlong pole and eventually finished fifth.

"She was very green the first day and Billy said she was just still very green today and said she needed his help. She got there and that is very pleasing," O'Neill reflected.

"She came from the breeze-up where Miriam O'Donnell presented her and did a fabulous job with her. She is a work in progress and we'll probably look at the Weld Stakes now but will get her home and see how she is first."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Deressa, ridden by C.D. Hayes, placed fifth, Pickersgill ridden by R.C. Colgan, unplaced, and Baltray Lady ridden by D.P. McDonogh, placed sixth, where it appeared interference occurred. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. D.P. McDonogh stated that his mount ducked right from the horse joining him on his outside. R.C. Colgan stated that his mount got intimidated by the horses on his outside resulting in him colliding with the running rail. C.D. Hayes stated a gap appeared and as he went to fill the gap it closed and he took back straight away. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Raceday Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further. Mr S.McDonogh recused himself from this enquiry.

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Baltray Lady, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ducked right from the horse on his outside.

A.J. Slattery, rider of Roman Dawn trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly away from the stalls.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes