Super six for A Step Too Far

A Step Too Far continued to leave the handicapper scratching his head as she made it six victories in a row in the valuable Joe McGrath Premier Handicap.

The four-year-old, in the first-time cheekpieces, bounced away very smartly from stall 15 to set the pace in this five-furlong sprint.

She was pushed along by Adam Farragh a furlong and a half out and was soon ridden to try and repel the closers.

To her credit she gamely clung on to the lead and made the best way home to beat Beckwith Place (18/1) by half a length. The admirable Blairmayne was a the same distance away in third at 13/2.

Trainer Kieran Cotter said: “This was the long-term target up to six weeks ago. She’s answered every call and there’s nothing I can say about her now. She’s just incredibly tough.

“She was (rated) 48 when she started off and has just got better and better. We do nothing with her at home between races. You just couldn’t because if you put a saddle on her she just wants to go one hundred miles an hour.

“She keeps herself fit and we just try and keep a lid on her as much as possible and do her running on the track.

“We put the cheekpieces on today because she idled a small bit in Cork over the six and we said to Adam to just let her roll. She always seems to have another bit even at the line she’s not finished.

“We’re looking at the Mercury Stakes at Dundalk over five now as a possibility.”

A Step Too Far began her winning run at Naas in July under Colin Keane who then won on her on successive days at Bellewstown in August. 7lb claimer Farragher has been on board for her three victories in September.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee