Opera Gloves is driven out by Shane Foley to beat St Jean and Indian Chief (not pictured)© Photo Healy Racing
Opera Gloves (7/2) caused an upset in the last at Killarney, the Killarney Grand Race, as she scored to provide Mick Halford with a cross codes, first and last race double (took the opening maiden hurdle with Paddy The Celeb . Indian Chief was the clear form choice in this three runner race, having finished third in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York on his penultimate start.
He finished a disappointing ninth of twelve in the Tercentenary Stakes at Royal Ascot on his last outing, but he was widely expected to get back to winning ways here, and he went off the 2/5 favourite for Aidan & Joseph O’Brien. St Jean attempted to make all under Chris Hayes for Kevin Prendergast, with Opera Gloves settling in second and Indian Chief in rear.
As the turned into the straight they remained in that order, until Opera Gloves got to the front at the two furlong pole, and the daughter of Dalakhani kept on well from there to see off St Jean by a length and a half.
Indian Chief made no impression when ridden over two furlongs out, and he trailed in last of the three, two and a half lengths behind the runner-up.
Mick Halford said afterwards: "She is a lovely, genuine filly and she seems to have a preference for going left-handed.
"Shane said she picked up well and she’ll probably go for the listed race at Listowel now.
"She is just not mad about going right-handed and that will be a great confidence boost for her."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
