Above The Curve, far side, sees off Insinuendo© Photo Healy Racing
Joseph O'Brien's Above The Curve fended off Insinuendo at the end of 1m2f in the Group 2 Moyglare 'Jewels' Blandford Stakes in the Curragh. La Petite Coco went off the even-money favourite to repeat last year's victory in this fillies' and mares' contest and she raced in fourth approaching the final half mile behind pace-setting Emphatic Answer and Lyrical Poetry At this stage Above was just in front of La Petite Coco.
The race really heated up passing the two pole as Lyrical Poetry took over, but she was soon collared by La Petite Coco who had Above The Curve on her shoulder.
Ryan Moore sent Above The Curve on entering the final furlong and his charge soon had La Petite Coco in trouble. Insinuendo was played late and fast by Billy Lee, though, and stormed into contention in the final 100 yards.
The challenger couldn't quite get on terms as Above The Curve stuck to her task and saw her off by a neck at 5/1. The runner-up went off the same price and was a length and a quarter in front of a keeping-on Galleria Borghese (66/1).
"I thought it was a fantastic ride from Ryan. It was the filly's first run back after a lay-off and I thought she'd come on a bit for the run,” said O'Brien.
“She's a classy filly, a Group 1 winner (in France), and I think her attitude really showed in the last 100 yards, she put her head out and fought it out.
“She's an impeccably bred filly and I've been really lucky with the American Pharoahs, he's done really well here in Europe particularly.
“You could see this filly's attitude in the last furlong when the going was getting tough she put her head out and fought all the way to the line, beating a very good filly.
“The plan was that this would be a nice stepping stone to the fillies race on Arc day (Prix de l'Opera) and that should set her up lovely for that, she's a course and distance winner already.”
When asked if she could remain in training next year he added: “I think there is a chance that could happen. She's a big filly, she's actually 17 hands which for a three-year-old filly is incredible.
“She seems to have progressed from the spring and hopefully she can progress in the future.”
Moore said: "I was going to her ride her patiently, but the pace was slow and I ended up handy.
"She has obviously got an awful lot of ability, she's a lovely filly to ride.
"You'd think she would only improve from today. She has a nice attitude and was just doing enough when she got there."
On the ground, he added: "Yielding to soft would be right, probably on the straight track it is mainly soft."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
