Vintage Nouveau very much on the upgrade Lightly-raced Vintage Nouveau had too much class for her rivals in the Ulster Oaks at Down Royal. The 11/8 favourite, who holds an entry in the Irish Oaks, had only run two races before being pitched in here – fourth to Lahinch Classics on the polytrack in Dundalk and then a five length win in a Clonmel fillies’ maiden. Today she was held up by Smullen before challenging at the two pole. She led inside the furlong marker and forged on strongly to score by two lengths. Snow Scene kept on well for second at 7/2. Dragon Fei was another half a length down at 6/1. Pat Smullen said: “She was a little green when getting to the front as she looked a bit left. She’s an improving filly. It’s a tricky track here. I probably lit her up to get her positioned, but she travelled well. “It’s vitally important for fillies to get black type and she’ll go that route. She should go a mile and a half as she wasn’t stopping and I eased her up in the last half furlong.” This was a 9.5/1 double for Pat Smullen who won on Norville (7/2) earlier on the card.
