Surrounding has too much class for Cooley rivals

Surrounding ran out an easy winner of the feature at Dundalk this evening, the Listed Al Basti Equiworld Irish EBF Cooley Fillies Stakes, following-up on her success in this race from twelve months ago.

The likeable Mick Halford trained six-year-old had already won Listed races this year at Naas and Galway respectively, with her biggest win to date coming in the Group 3 Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse in July.

Fifth in a Group 2 contest on her most recent start on Champions Weekend, the daughter of Lilbourne Lad was expected to get back to winning ways this evening and was sent off the clear 10/11 favourite.

Settled in mid-division by Ronan Whelan, the now nine time winner was angled to the outer for room from early in the straight.

She travelled best from over a furlong out and soon cruised through to lead, keeping on well inside the final furlong, scoring easily by two and three parts of a length.

Crochet (10/1), one of five Joseph O'Brien trained runners in the line-up, finished second under Gary Halpin, while 33/1 chance Festina Plente was another length and a half back in third, with Niall McCullagh aboard this one for Johnny Murtagh.

"She's a credit to herself and the people who bred her (the Newell's) because they've been game to keep her in training. You don't see too many six-year-old mares in training on the Flat," said Halford.

"She's obviously a very sound filly, a genuine filly, and she's just a pleasure to have around the place.

"For some reason she just took off this year and she never stopped improving. That's probably as good a performance as she's given all year.

"She's so adaptable to ride, you can do anything you like with her. Once we just land her here fit and well she does her job.

"She's been fantastic and it's exciting for the owners as they really enjoy their racing and take full benefit of it.

"I think we're going to go to Dubai with her. I think conditions out there will suit her. The way she finished out there tonight she's still fresh and has more mileage on the clock so we'll take our chance.

"The Balanchine would probably be a race that comes to mind, that's a Group 2. They are all fantastic races with huge prize-money.

"We'll get her out there and see how she takes it. I've always thought she'd be one that would love it out there from what we know about the place.

"She'd enjoy the sun on her back and she's easy to keep fit, so I think she'll fit in well to the team out there.

"We'd hope to have Simsir and Massif Central to travel with her. The plan at the moment is that the three would go."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson