Pearl books Ascot ticket with Glencairn win

Colin Keane continued his excellent run of form (tenth winner of the month) as he took the Listed Glencairn Stakes aboard the Eddie Lynam trained Pearl Of Africa

The four-year-old daughter of Jeremy (also the sire of previous winner The Ring Is King won a Listed contest at Dundalk in November and she then finished third on her next two starts in Group Two’s at Meydan earlier this year.

She was a bit disappointing on her last two outings over the course and at the Curragh last month, but back on good ground this evening she found form.

Drawn widest of all in stall eight she was settled towards the rear in the early stages before she took closer order on the outer from the four furlong pole.

She improved to get on terms over a furlong out without being asked a question and once ridden inside the final furlong she quickly shot clear, keeping on well close home to score by two lengths. Leitir Mor ran a fine race to finish second at 14/1 under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger while Exactement (20/1) kept on well inside the final furlong to take third on his first start for Sabrina Harty. Along Came Casey who won this race last year, was a big disappointment as she could only manage fifth under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

The daughter of Oratorio was available at 11/8 this morning, opening on-course at 8/11 before going off the 4/5 clear favourite.

Eddie Lynam said afterwards: "I thought she had improved and was good but I ran her on soft ground and she didn't like it. In fairness they were probably better quality races also.

"She did that well and she'll go now to the posh place (Royal Ascot) next Wednesday for the Duke Of Cambridge."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson