Bolleville and Shane Crosse pictured on their way to victory © Photo Healy Racing
Bolleville put in an impressive performance on her Irish debut, as she took the feature at Leopardstown this afternoon, the Listed TRI Equestrian Silver Stakes.
Successful at Listed level at Saint-Cloud last November when trained by Pascal Bary, the daughter of Camelot was sent off at 10/1 today (20s in early shows) on her first start for Joseph O'Brien.
Settled towards rear by Shane Crosse, the bay four-year-old took closer order in the straight and came with her challenge down the outer with a furlong left to race.
She was ridden and swept through to lead inside the final 100 yards, keeping on well from there to score by a length, with Simsir (13/2), for Ronan Whelan and Mick Halford, in second. Keats was sent off the 11/4 favourite and he finished a further length and a quarter back in third, while Bowerman (4/1) didn't have much luck in running and eventually finished seventh.
Edward Greatrex was originally due to partner Bolleville, but with the defection of Raise You, Shane Crosse was switched to the winner.
Brendan Powell, assistant trainer to O'Brien, said afterwards: "Shane said he was always happy with her. She travelled great and he said she kept quickening all the way to the line. She loved the ground and it's a while since she ran so she can only improve again off it.
"Today was basically a finding out mission and she's done it nicely so she could be very useful.
"Shane and Declan (McDonogh) share most of the rides but Eddie is a big part of the team and it's unfortunate that he's missed out on this. Shane switched onto her after Raise You (change in going) was taken out and he's given her a lovely ride.
"She's by Camelot so she's going to be a valuable broodmare one day. Hopefully she has a good future before that."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
