Visor has Birdie humming A pair of cheek-pieces may have helped Bye Bye Birdie to 'get home' in her maiden at Cork in the middle of the month but the addition of a visor seems to have brought her to a different level as she landed the Group 3 Grangecon Stud Stakes at the Curragh under Joseph O'Brien. Her strength in the market on occasions and a trip to Royal Ascot for the Queen Mary (12th there) showed that Bye Bye Birdie has always been well-regarded at Ballydoyle and it all came together nicely for the Oasis Dream filly today. Only third market choice behind Heart Focus and Clenor, Bye Bye Birdie made a mockery of her place in the betting, breaking well and making all, staying on strongly in the final quarter mile to triumph by three lengths. Aidan O'Brien disclosed: "She had the head-gear on today as Joseph thought she was keeping plenty to herself. "She came back from Ascot 4 kilos heavier so that's usually a sign that one's not over-doing it. "She can go anywhere now. She has loads of ability." Boylesports go 16/1 Bye Bye Birdie for the next year's Guineas. A steward's enquiry not involving the winner saw no alteration to the judge's placings. (GC & EM)
