Super-sub Foley bags the Blandford

Alert jockey Shane Foley came in for the winning 'spare' on Hanalia in the Group 2 Moyglare Jewels Blandford Stakes on Champions Festival at the Curragh today, as trainer Johnny Murtagh bagged his third win in the race.

Foley earned plaudits for canny early-race tactics in winning yesterday's Juveniles Stakes on Green Impact and today filled-in for Ben Coen - who had recently fractured his collarbone, on Hanalia (12/1).

Foley held Aga Khan-owned Hanalia up last of nine runners, produced her to lead inside the final furlong and while he dropped his whip in the last strides, won by a neck from Wingspan

Murtagh, who won the 1993 renewal as a jockey and the 2013 race as both jockey and trainer of Belle De Crecy, revealed “Shane is not slow as he sent me a voice message straight after Ben got injured last week saying 'if you need me for anything over Champions Weekend...'.

“He gave her a great ride as she needs to be settled and if you put her in the race too early, sometimes she can get up on the bridle. I told him 'the more relaxed she is, the better she'll finish' and while we didn't plan to be as far back, he said that was just the way it happened. She has a good turn of foot when she relaxes.”

He added “I thought she had improved from her last run here a couple of weeks ago. I might have left her one gallop short with the eye on this race but I did think she'd nearly win the last time.

“With the little bit of rain last night and the extra furlong, I think this is the ideal trip for her, we were coming here quietly confident.

“There are a lot of good fillies in Ireland at the moment. I just had a feeling that today was going to be her day and with that extra furlong I knew she'd get home well. I was just delighted to see the line coming in time.”

Murtagh had featured in social media promotional work for this weekend's Festival and expanded “we're thrilled to win a Group 2 on Champions Weekend; it's very important for me and for his Highness The Aga Khan as well.

“Hopefully now she can go on, and we'll probably have to give her a shot in a Group 1 next. She's in the Prix de l'Opera and hopefully that's the next target.”

Quotes from Gary Carson