Etoile (nearside) wins under Seamie Heffernan© Photo Healy Racing
Earlier on the mark with the Ryan Moore-ridden Pistoletto Aidan O’Brien doubled his Naas score through newcomer Etoile (16s into 12s) in the Group Three Coolmore Stud Irish EBF Fillies’ Sprint Stakes.
It wasn’t a surprise to see Paddy Power go 5/1 first show about War Front filly Etoile afterwards, for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Many envisaged Ballydoyle taking the Naas feature, but most probably with the Ryan Moore-ridden So Wonderful (8/11 out to 5/6 favourite).
However she didn’t come up to expectations in fifth, as the Seamie Heffernan-partnered Etoile got the better of Peace Charter (2/1 second favourite) and Celtic Beauty by half a length and the same.
Etoile was slightly hampered leaving the stalls but she was soon chasing the leader.
Fifth two furlongs out, the winner was pushed along to go second a furlong out.
Etoile was then ridden to lead narrowly in the final 100 yards, running on well to make a big splash at the first time of asking.
“She is a work companion with the other filly and is very well bred. Seamus was just saying that he rode her mother in the Irish Oaks to finish third behind two of ours (Moonstone and Ice Queen in 2008)," said O'Brien.
“She was working nice but first time it was a big ask for her. Obviously it was a good performance from a first time filly, and you would imagine there would be plenty of improvement.
“I’d imagine she will go now for the Albany at Ascot.”
(AM & EM)
