Skies progressing quickly

It wasn't a surprise to hear Donnacha O'Brien say "she's turned into a different filly these last few runs," after his mount Clear Skies brought up a four-timer in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at Dundalk.

Upped to a mile and half after three on the spin here over an extended ten furlongs, the beautifully bred daughter of Sea The Stars was impressive. Leading in the final quarter mile Clear Skies stayed on strongly in the final furlong for a two and three parts of a length verdict over Play It Cool

"She loves you pulling out of her and my god was I pulling out of her for most of it," further explained O'Brien on his father Aidan's charge.

"I think getting black-type will be no problem for her and if she keeps improving like this you wouldn't know.

"There is nowhere really here for her to go from there. I don't know if they'd want to look at the Winter Derby or something but obviously I'll leave that to Dad and JP (McManus, winning owner)."

The Stewards fined Luke Comer, trainer, €350 for lodging a passport in respect of Introductory in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91.

The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

(GC & EM)