Loreto, green cap, fends off Tandem at Naas© Photo Healy Racing
Loreto came up trumps after a battle in the last half furlong with newcomer Tandem in the mile maiden at Naas, and in so doing gave trainer Jim Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning a double on the card.
The pair came up the centre of the track and it looked like the gelding Tandem and Pat Smullen would get past the filly Loreto and Kevin Manning, but she stuck her head out well approaching the line to win by half a length. Both horse were returned 4/1 joint second favourites.
Another Aidan/Joseph O’Brien favourite was beaten (fourth one on the card), but 11/8 market leader Unanimous made the frame in third.
Jim Bolger said: “She got through the ground well and will go handicapping now.”
The winner paid a shade over 6/1 on the Tote at 7.20 euro and the exacta at 33.50 euro would have pleased backers of the joint second favourites.
Michael Graham (on course reporting by Gary Carson)
