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- Review curragh 12th Sep
Review curragh 12th Sep
John Oxx and Mick Kinane added another Classic to their tally for a glorious 2009 campaign as Alandi won a war of attrition in the Irish Field St Leger at the Curragh.
Godolphin looked poised for a Leger double following Mastery's Doncaster success as Schiaparelli bowled along in front in the straight.
But Kinane, who opted for the Curragh rather than go to England to ride Mourayan, had the leader in his sights and Alandi (3-1) finally wore him down well inside the final furlong before holding the late challenge of Clowance by half a length.
Disappointment of the race was the redoubtable Yeats who was under pressure a long way from home and faded away tamely to finish last.< Kingsfort underlined his immense potential with a narrow victory in the Ladbrokes.com Vincent O'Brien National Stakes.
Declan McDonogh always had the Kevin Prendergast-trained juvenile travelling sweetly just behind the leaders and took it up with a furlong and a half to run in the Group One contest.< Chabal came through from the rear to throw down a strong challenge, but Kingsfort (9-4) was always holding him and passed the post with a neck to spare.
Prendergast and McDonogh went on to a double when debutante Crystal Gal (5-2 joint-favourite) found a gap late on to catch market rival Free Judgement close home for a head victory in the Bollinger Champagne EBF Maiden.
Dermot Weld's Chinese White is enjoying a profitable campaign and she added a Group Two prize to her record with an authoritative display in the Irish National Stud Blandford Stakes.< Roman Empress led them along, with Chinese White settled in second, and Pat Smullen took over on the 11-10 favourite with just over a furlong to run before going two lengths clear.< Irish Heartbeat pulled out all the stops for Smullen to land the Ladbrokes.com Autumn Festival Handicap over the minimum trip.
David Myerscough's 7-2 favourite was always close up and edged into the lead approaching the furlong marker, but he was hard pressed by Sioduil late on and held on by a short head.
Smul