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- Found only third as Zhukova wins the Alleged
Donal Murphy
Found only third as Zhukova wins the Alleged
Zhukova leads home Success Days and Found
© Photo Healy Racing
Found could only manage a disappointing third on her seasonal debut, as the well-backed Zhukova came out on top in the Listed Coral.ie Alleged Stakes.
Available at 14/1 last night, the Dermot Weld trained victor opened on-course at 8's before going off a 6/1 chance under Pat Smullen.
Settled in second she came with her challenge under two furlongs out, hitting the front with a furlong to race before going on to score by four and three parts of a length. Success Days (9/2), who attempted to make all, ran a fine race to finish second under Shane Foley for Ken Condon.
The 9/10 favourite Found was a further three lengths back in third under Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien.
Dermot Weld said afterwards: "She's a nice mare. She won the Oyster Stakes last year and has grown and strengthened over the winter. My late mother bred her, and we have all the family.
"It was an excellent renewal of the race, and was really of a Group 1 or Group 2 standard. I'm not sure where she will go next. The Blue Wind at Naas is a possibility."
Aidan O'Brien said: "The plan with Found is to go for the Tattersalls Gold Cup with two runs before it. I knew she would be a bit fresh but it was a lovely run and she will come forward from it."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee