History leads home Agartha © Photo Healy Racing
Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore combined for their eighth success of the week, as History landed the Group 3 Cornelscourt Stakes.
A runner-up on her first two starts, the Galileo bay made the breakthrough at Gowran in September and returning to action this afternoon she was sent off a 3/1 chance.
Settled in mid-division, she took closer order from early in the straight and was ridden to challenge on the outer with over a furlong to go.
She had a tussle with Agartha inside the final furlong but edged to the front in the closing stages, going on to prevail by three parts of a length.
Agartha, who was returned the 6/4 favourite, had to settle for second under Declan McDonogh for Joseph O'Brien, while the Henry de Bromhead trained Honey Girl (28/1) ran a huge race to take third, another length and a quarter behind.
"I'm delighted with her, she got plenty of time to come to hand, and we were running her to see whether we go to an Irish Guineas or an Oaks," said O'Brien.
"Ryan was very happy and said to go to the Irish Guineas with her, she can do that (Oaks) then after.
"She's highly strung but she's lovely. The second is a good filly and you'd have to be very happy with her.
"I was hoping she'd run well and was hoping that we'd find out whether to go to the Irish Guineas or Oaks. The way she quickened you have to give her a chance at the Irish Guineas."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into an incident inside the final furlong involving Beautiful Sunshine (GB), ridden by G.P. Halpin, Lullaby ridden by J.A. Heffernan, Nectaris (GB), ridden by S. Foley and Princess Olly ridden by B.M. Coen, where it appeared that interference had taken place. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, B.M. Coen stated that his mount had quickened nicely but weakened when coming under pressure and leaned left before he was able to straighten her. S. Foley stated that he had the opportunity in the straight to take a gap on the rails but it tightened when he got there, however, he did not stop riding at that point. G.P. Halpin stated that his mount met with interference when coming back out of the race having stopped quickly. J.A. Heffernan stated that his mount had emptied by this point and got tightened from both sides by other horses staying on in the closing stages. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that any interference which occurred was caused by general bunching to which they were unable to apportion any blame and in the circumstances they took no further action.
D.P. McDonogh, rider of Agartha trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount suffered interference twice in the first furlong of this race.
G.P. Halpin, rider of Beautiful Sunshine (GB) trained by Adrian Murray, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was tight for room at the one furlong marker.
J.A. Heffernan, rider of Lullaby trained by A.P.O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got tightened for room in the straight and he had to stop riding.
C.T. Keane, rider of Panama Red trained by G.M.Lyons, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was unlucky in running.
B.M. Coen, rider of Princess Olly trained by Adrian Murray, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left under pressure in the straight.
The Stewards enquired into incidents in the first furlong of this race involving Agartha, ridden by D.P. McDonogh, Beautiful Sunshine (GB), ridden by G.P. Halpin, Lullaby, ridden by J.A. Heffernan and Princess Olly, ridden by B.M. Coen, where it appeared that Agartha met with interference and checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. In his evidence, D.P. McDonogh stated that his mount ran keen from stalls and was three quarters of a length down on Beautiful Sunshine (GB) when the pace steadied and that horse moved inward causing him to check. J.A. Heffernan stated that the pace steadied but he had moved outwards and was not involved in any incident. B.M. Coen stated that the pace was fast for the first furlong before it steadied to leave his own mount in front but without causing any interference. G.P. Halpin stated that he got about a half a length up on Agartha when his own mount steadied in front and at that point he felt that he was clear of Agartha. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found that G.P. Halpin was in breach of Rule 214 in that he had ridden carelessly. Having considered his record in this regard the Stewards cautioned G.P. Halpin on this occasion
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
