Rose now two from two Rose De Pierre made it two from two as she took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap For The Defence Forces Trophy. The well-bred daughter of Dubawi won on her debut over the course and distance in May, beating subsequent Naas winner Ottilie by a nose. Having opened at 11/8 on-course, the Dermot Weld trained bay came in for plenty of market support, and went off the 5/4 favourite in the colours of Moyglare Stud Farm. Settled behind the leaders by Pat Smullen, she was third halfway. She came with her challenge from the two furlong pole, and was pushed along to lead over a furlong out. She was ridden inside the final furlong, and kept on well in the closing stages, going on to score by two lengths. Diamond Rio finished second at 20/1 under Rory Cleary for Tony Mullins, while Siamsaiocht (8/1) was a length back in third under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger. Dermot Weld said afterwards: "She did it nicely and is a progressive filly. We'll progress her along and maybe look for a Listed race next. "She's an immature filly and has taken a bit of time to come to hand. She only won by a nose on debut, and the race took quite a bit out of her. "She's a filly that I will enjoy training for the remainder of this year, and next year. She will only come into her own next year, and should mature into a proper filly next year. We'll take our time with her." The winner is out of Profound Beauty who won nine times under Smullen for Weld and owners Moyglare Stud Farm. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
