Review CURRAGH 13TH JUL

There was a fairytale outcome to the Darley Irish Oaks when Vintage Tipple recorded a first classic victory for veteran trainer Paddy Mullins.

The Entrepreneur filly, who cost just E16,000 at Goffs and had to overcome injury, finished strongly under Frankie Dettori for a memorable win.

The front-running L'Ancresse showed no signs of weakening in the straight, and Vintage Tipple had over three lengths to make up from the furlong pole.

Dettori's mount only led inside the final 100 yards to score by a length and a half, with Casual Look holding every chance a head back in third.

Mullins, 84, best remembered for his handling of the great Dawn Run, was recording his first Group 1 success since Hurry Harriet won the Champion Stakes in '73.

The victory sparked 'Cheltenham like scenes' in the parade ring, with Dettori performing his customary flying dismount while a large crowd sang 'the banks' for Cork owner Patrick O'Donovan.

'She suffered a hairline fracture of a cannon-bone before the Irish 1,000 Guineas, and was in her box for three weeks. If she stays lucky, the sky is the limit,' said Mullins.

Aidan O'Brien, still seeking his first Irish Oaks, had to settle for fourth place with 11/8 favourite Yesterday but was earlier on the mark with One Cool Cat in the Anglesey Stakes.

The Storm Cat colt earned a 16/1 (from 25's) quote for the 2,000 Guineas with Cashmans after travelling smoothly throughout under Michael Kinane.

He cruised to the front under a furlong out in this Group 3 to beat Leicester Square by a length and a half.

'He's an exciting horse and has always worked well. He could come back here for the Independent Waterford Wedgewood Phoenix Stakes next month,' said O'Brien.

Rock Of Gibraltar's brother Rock Of Cashel made his debut in the seven furlongs maiden, and stayed on into third behind fellow newcomers Mustameet and Groom Raider.

'He had a nice education there, and didn't have to work too hard,' said trainer Kevin Prendergast of the Declan McDonogh-ridden winner.

Avorado, successful in a handicap here a fortnight ago, justified a supplementary fee of 8,000 euro when graduating to Group company in the Minstrel Stakes.

The five-year-old gelding was driven to the front in the closing stages by Kevin Manning to beat d'Anjou by three quarters of a length.

John Oxx continued where he left off on Saturday when saddling a 1-2 in the Ladies Derby with Kiteflyer just getting up in the final strides to beat pace-setting stablemate Zimbabwe by a head.

Sinead O'Keeffe (27), from Mullingar, was recording her second win, and Oxx commented, 'There should be more races of this type to give stable girls a chance to ride.'

He added, 'Both horses act of fast ground and stay well, and Zimbabwe may go for the mile and three quarters handicap on the Friday of the Galway Festival.'

The victory of Assigh Lady (Billy Lee) after a blanket finish to the valuable Rockingham Handicap was worth E19,169 to one lucky jackpot punter.

The mile handicap produced another exciting finish as Desert Hill swooped on the outer under Fran Berry to beat Fearn Royal by 1 1/2L.

Conspiring was hampered a furlong out, and later promoted to second place with Fearn Royal's rider Seamus Heffernan getting a three days ban for careless riding.

Heffernan gained compensation half-an-hour later when Back On Top (7/2-5/1) just held off the late surge of Blue Away by a neck in the two miles handicap.

The attendance of 9,283 was up 1,100 on last year's meeting.

Alan Magee