Starlight shines on first run for Dowling

Starlight Rose flew home in the final furlong to prevail in another cracking finish in the finale at Down Royal tonight.

The El Kabeir filly went to post a 25/1 shot in the extended mile-and-a-half contest on her first outing for trainer Thomas Dowling.

She was held up out the back by Wesley Joyce and had only one behind crossing the road.

The chestnut really started to motor on the outer inside the final furlong, however, and flashed home to get up close home.

It was a tight finish with four almost abreast in the last 50 yards. Really Blonde finished a neck back in second with just a short-head back to Lemon Ice Steps In The Sand was half a length further back in fourth at the line.

The winner had been well held in two previous outings in handicap company this season.

Dowling said: "It was super, in fairness she stays well. We've only had her a couple of weeks. We worked her a couple of times and she showed us that she gallops all the way to the line.

"I just wanted her to have a good experience and wanted her finishing, going forward. If she won, it was a bonus. She's done it now and she will get a great deal of confidence.

"Whatever she does on the Flat will only be a bonus to what she will do over a hurdle. She is very, very good at jumping.

"We might throw an entry into the mile and six (at Galway) on Sunday but I doubt she will get in. It is unlikely. We'll pick and choose her races now."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)