Royal Memory rips up the form book

Plenty of burnt fingers for in-running punters as the complexion of the mile maiden for fillies at Leopardstown changed several times in the closing stages.

Pat Smullen had made it back in time from Royal Ascot to replace Leigh Roche on board Comtesse who was installed as the 8/13 favourite. She had beaten three of today’s rivals when second to Ponfeigh over this course and distance just under two weeks ago.

It looked for all money that she would go on to shed her maiden tag here when she battled past Que Sera Sera but she was swamped by Royal Memory who came with a sustained effort down the outside in the final furlong. Fire Stone (10/1) got into top gear late on to fly home and get within half a length of the winner at the finish, having raced in rear throughout before making eyecatching headway on this her debut.

Form students were left scratching their heads as Royal Memory (16/1) had finished seventh in the maiden that Comtesse was second in and Que Sera Sera and Happy Gathering were third and sixth in respectively.

Comtesse had to settle for third, beaten a length. Que Sera Sera was fifth of the six runners here while Happy Gathering finished last.

Jockey Declan McDonogh said: “She stepped forward a good bit. The slower pace suited her, but she has improved a good bit and is going in the right direction.”

John Oxx trained the winner.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee