Star Image and Jamie Powell are clear © Photo Healy Racing
The Neville O´Byrne Memorial EBF Fillies Handicap went to the lightly-weighted Star Image (9/1) under a fine ride from Jamie Powell.
The talented apprentice brought his mount from the back of the reduced field of six and she squeezed through a gap between her two Aga Khan-owned rivals over a furlong out. She soon settled matters and ran on well to defeat Kazakdaria and Kerkiyra by four and quarter lengths and half a length.
The winner was on target at the Galway festival before finishing third at Tramore last weekend.
Winning trainer Tom Mullins, “The handicapper is going to give her a slap now as she was 6lb out. I’d a feeling the top-weight wouldn’t run and if she came out earlier the weights would have gone up 7lb and we would be grand.
“She came out after the time (withdrawn after the first race). I don’t think it’s a fair rule that the weights didn’t go up but that’s it.
“She’s improved since Galway. Jake Coen told me that Tramore was a stop start race but she was in fierce good form all week and I felt we had to run here.
“I’ve been looking at Jamie Powell all year and but him up to negate the 6lb and I’m delighted that it’s worked out.
“I don’t think she’s keen on going left-handed and we’ll see what the handicapper does.
“She could go for the ten-furlong handicap here on Champions Weekend or there is also the Oyster Stakes in Galway.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
