Agartha and Declan McDonogh win Fairy Bridge Stakes © Photo Healy Racing
Agartha won for the first time in her three-year-old career when running out a gutsy winner of the Group 3 Coolmore Stud No Nay Never Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary.
A dual winner as a juvenile last season, the Joseph O'Brien trained filly had been highly tried this time round. Fifth in the Irish 1000 Guineas in May, she subsequently disappointed on quick ground at Belmont Park.
Back in calmer waters here, the Caravaggio filly was sent straight into the lead by Declan McDonagh and appeared to have matters in hand over a furlong out.
However, stablemate Night Of Romance emerged from out of the pack to throw down a determined challenge, meaning the short priced favourite had to be kept up to her work all the way to the line.
Winning jockey Declan McDonagh said; "she deserved to get her head in front this year, They thought the style of training in America (recently) didn't suit her and when she came home Pat McCabe, who rides her out, and I thought she was back working really well and we were proved right.
"She was lugging out off the fence and was pulling up a bit in the straight but it is a good confidence booster. She loves Leopardstown and maybe she'll go to the Matron or something like that now."
Paddy Power cut Agartha from 25/1 to 16/1 for the Matron Stakes and 20/1 from 33/1 for Sun Chariot Stakes
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
