The grey Thunder Kiss holds Sweet Molly Malone © Photo Healy Racing
Colin Keane was determined not to leave Naas without a winner and had a willing partner in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bluebell Stakes in the shape of 5/2 favourite Thunder Kiss
The three-time champion jockey, moving onto 132 winners for the season, settled the daughter of Night Of Thunder well back in the field from a wide draw before asking her to improve towards the stands’ side in the straight.
Under a 5lb penalty for her Group 3 Munster Oaks success in June, the 4-year-old led over a furlong out and responded well to Keane’s urgings to repel the challenge of Ballydoyle outsider Sweet Molly Malone (66/1) by a neck.
The 13/8 favourite Barrington Court appeared to have every chance and could only keep on at the same pace in third, a further length and three quarters away.
Shane Lyons, assistant to winning trainer Ger Lyons, said: “Ger wanted to run her in this race to go out on a high and fair play to Maurice (Regan, of Newtown Anner Stud) for letting her run.
"It was a tough ask with a penalty but we have a lot of faith in her. She has been so consistent all year and is very genuine.
“She is going to stay in training next year and is only going to get better. She goes on most ground but is very effective on that (yielding).”
Quotes from Alan Magee
