Sugaree success follows near misses for Ascot stablemates

Sugaree (11/4f) made it third-time-lucky for both herself and Joseph O'Brien today, landing the Leopardstown's Bulmers Live Leopardstown (Fillies) Maiden to provide her trainer with a welcome winner.

O'Brien's earlier runners Valiant King and Lumiere had both finished second at Royal Ascot, in the Norfolk Stakes and and King George V Stakes respectively but Sugaree, on her third career run, scored readily when beating newcomer Alalcance by three lengths.

O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell said “that was nice, she ran a solid race here last time. Declan (McDonogh, winning jockey) hadn't ridden her before but he said she gave him a nice feel. I think she's got a nice future; she stays well.

“He said she wouldn't want the ground any quicker than that. She's a big filly as well and I'm sure there is improvement in her, without doubt she'll get black-type.”

Quotes from Gary Carson