Tag Archive for: Naas

Howd’yadoit proves a pleasant surprise for Lyons in Naas feature

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Howd’yadoit left Ger Lyons “gobsmacked”, as Colin Keane timed it to perfection in landing the richly-endowed Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas.

Completing a treble on the day, Keane got up close home on the 13-2 chance – who had shed his maiden tag at the fourth time of asking at Down Royal last month – to hold off Unbreakable Duke by a nose.

Unbreakable Duke was subsequently demoted to third, with Summer Is Tomorrow promoted to second, following a stewards’ inquiry into interference.

British raider Jel Pepper (6-4 favourite) was fourth for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense was withdrawn by Joseph O’Brien due to unsuitable ground.

Lyons – who teamed up with Keane to land this race with Sacred Bridge in 2021 – admitted: “I’m gobsmacked, as I didn’t think he’d be good enough.

“What an honest horse, he’s been doing it well. We wanted to win a maiden en route to winning a nursery, but he (handicapper) hit him with a mark that I thought was ridiculous for what I felt was a poor maiden.

“We came here because it was a good pot, and I said any bit of the prize-money is grand. Never in my wildest dreams did I think he’d win.”

He added: “I’m delighted as Sean’s (Jones, owner) horses are now bought for and named by his sons Eddie and James to keep them interested and they are here today. They are the next generation, so it’s great.

“Sean has been with me from day one and it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.”

Bonus Time for Twomey at Naas

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Bonus Time made all to land the Ironxcell For Energy Race at Naas.

The 2-5 shot was sent straight to the head of the field by Colin Keane, with Zuheila racing keenly in behind.

Keane did not have to ask the daughter of Too Darn Hot too many questions, as the Paddy Twomey-trained filly ran out a half-length winner from Kodilicious, who kept on well for second, with the still green Zuheila in third.

Twomey said: “Her last run was her first run for us and we tried seven in a handicap. She ran really well and Andy (Oliver)’s horse is a good horse that beat her just at the line.

“First time in a handicap carrying 10st and I just thought the last 50 yards looked a long way, so we said we’d come back to six today.

“It looked a nice spot for her and I’m very happy how she did it. Colin looked after her and gave her a nice ride.

“Colin said she could be dropped in and that she was waiting there in front.”

The three-year-old is owned by Yorkshire-based Bond Thoroughbred Limited, and Twomey added: “We’ll try to get some black type with her eventually and she might go to the Ebor meeting in York.”

Mint Man won on turf at the 11th time of asking in the Taste Of Kildare At Naas Racecourse 16th – 17th August Handicap.

The Pat Murphy-trained four-year-old launched his challenge two furlongs out and hit the front heading into the final furlong, keeping on well to win by a length and a half.

Murphy said of his 8-1 winner: “He was in good form and is not a massive horse so carrying less weight today helped him.

“Leigh said he winged the gates and travelled away nicely for him. He hung a bit to the near side but has done it nicely.

“I thought he would have won more by now.

“We’ll see what comes up for him and he could run in the Curragh on Saturday.”

Keane completed a double on Noli Timere in the LubriSyn HA+ Premium Equine Joint Protection Fillies Maiden.

Michael O’Callaghan’s filly justified 11-4 favouritism and he said: “She’s a lovely filly and has taken a bit of time but is one we have always liked.

“We put cheekpieces on today, more to sharpen her up dropping back from a mile and one.

“Colin said a mile is her trip and she’ll improve for slower ground. That is as quick as she wants it and we’ll probably go hunting for a little bit of black type.”

Jel Pepper among strong British contingent in Ballyhane Stakes

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Jel Pepper travels to Ireland in search of major riches in the Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas.

An impressive winner on his Goodwood debut in early June, Paul and Oliver Cole’s charge then finished a promising third behind Zavateri in Newmarket’s Group Two July Stakes.

The winner gave that form a significant boost by following up in the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood on Tuesday and connections of Jel Pepper are expecting a bold showing from their charge in Monday’s €200,000 feature in County Kildare.

“Jel Pepper is a good horse who ran very well in the July Stakes and we have missed Goodwood with him to go to Naas,” said Oliver Cole.

“It is great prize money and I believe the ground will be on the easy side of good which will play to his strengths as he likes a bit of a cut in the ground.

“It is quite daunting coming to Ireland because there are so many good horses but these races are fantastic and it is brilliant to have a horse good enough to take part.”

Jel Pepper is one of five British-trained contenders along with Richard Fahey’s Cosmic Clarets, the George Scott-trained Front Line Fury and Kevin Ryan’s pair of Tropical Dreamer and There’s A Chance.

Scott’s contender missed out on a hat-trick when denied by a head at Ascot last time, but the Newmarket handler has plenty of belief in his solid operator ahead of this raiding mission.

He said: “He’s a really dependable two-year-old who just turns up runs his race and always seems to be improving.

“I’m really pleased with him and he’s taken another step forward since Ascot where he was very much a sitting duck.

“We think we are well drawn but you never quite know and I guess it will depend on where the pace and quality in the race is. I think he will go and run his usual solid race and will be there and thereabouts at the finish.

“He arguably has to come forward again from what he’s shown but he’s a tough horse and really cool and I’m very fond of him.”

The home team is headed by Joseph O’Brien’s Prix Robert Papin winner Green Sense.

Havana Anna sets up Group-race targets in Naas success

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Havana Anna enhanced her reputation with a commanding victory in the Arqana Irish EBF Marwell Stakes at Naas.

Not disgraced behind Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad on debut before headed late when beaten a neck by Ger Lyons’ Anglesey Stakes scorer Suzy Songs on her second start, Donnacha O’Brien’s talented youngster was returning to the scene of her impressive six-length maiden success late last month.

Sent off the 6-4 favourite in the hands of Gavin Ryan, Havana Anna travelled powerfully throughout the Listed event before asserting late on to run out a three-and-a-half-length winner over Ipanema Queen.

It was a performance deemed worthy of slicing her odds from 16-1 to 8s for the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York on August 21 with bigger days certainly lying ahead for the speedy daughter of Havana Grey.

“She’s a smart filly, she’s taken the step up in grade very well,” said O’Brien.

“She’s exciting and she could be one for the best of those five- and six-furlong fillies’ races.

“They went a good gallop, she has loads of pace, and came over stands side which was fine. She’s straightforward, I know she leans a bit left under pressure.

“It’s something she’s always done in her races, but she doesn’t do it at home. It doesn’t seem to stop her, and while she’s winning I don’t see the need for headgear or anything like that it’s just something that she does.

“I have her in the Lowther. We’ll see how she comes out of it and make a plan then.

“You’d be hoping that she could make into a Cheveley Park filly. We’ll work back from there, it’s probably an option.”

The other Listed race on the card, the six-furlong Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes for fillies and mares, went to the William Haggas-trained Sky Majesty (11-10 favourite) in the hands of Tom Marquand.

Daytona races to Smullen success at Naas

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Daytona overcame his evident inexperience to run out an impressive winner of the inaugural Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes at Naas.

A comfortable Gowran winner on his racecourse debut last month, Daytona was sent off the 4-5 favourite for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Wayne Lordan, with the result never really looking in doubt.

Daytona initially looked a little green when given the signal to go on by Lordan, but he was too good for North Shore, pulling three and a quarter lengths clear with the minimum of fuss, earning a 20-1 quote from Paddy Power for next year’s 2000 Guineas.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “Jack (Cleary) gave him a lovely introduction in Gowran where for a first timer and he was impressive. He’s come along lovely at home since then, but he’s still fairly raw.

“They went along at a nice pace and he travelled into it really strong, but when he got there he was still very babyish.

“He has the makings of a lovely horse and next year you could see him over a mile and a quarter.

“He could be one for something like the Futurity or Golden Fleece. He’s a horse to look forward to. He’ll develop physically, he’s a fine big imposing horse and he’s by that sire Wootton Bassett.”

This mile race is part of the new ‘Smullen Series’ which consists of 18 middle-distance races for two and three-year-olds and honours the late Irish champion jockey who enjoyed Derby glory with Harzand.

Smullen was O’Brien’s brother-in-law and Armstrong added: “It’s a lovely new series that they’ve introduced and all these new series initiatives help the programme.

“It’s named after a legend and Aidan picked this race out straight after Gowran for him. He’s delighted to win the first running of it and hopefully we can win a few more of them.”

O’Brien hoping Daytona can secure ‘special’ Naas success

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Aidan O’Brien could honour the memory of his late brother-in-law when Daytona heads to Naas for the inaugural running of the Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes.

A 500,000 guineas purchase as a yearling, the son of Wootton Bassett impressed on debut at Gowran Park last month, with the master of Ballydoyle always having this newly-created Listed event in mind for the smart prospect.

O’Brien said: “Daytona is a good horse. He won nicely in Gowran the first day when Jack (Cleary) rode him. Wayne (Lordan) rides him in Naas. We think he’s a nice horse and we think the trip should suit him.

“Obviously, the race is in memory of Pat and that makes it very special for us and we’re delighted to be running what we think is a nice horse in the race. We like him, we think he’s a classy horse.”

O’Brien’s son Joseph is also well represented, saddling both Fairyhouse winner Green Soul and North Coast, the latter creating a taking impression with an all-the-way five-and-a-half-length win at Down Royal recently.

Leblon Queen had accounted for the aforementioned Green Soul on debut before running down the field in last weekend’s Airlie Stud Stakes.

She is quickly returned to the track as part of a two-strong hand for Adrian Murray alongside Flanker Jet, who was not far behind quality Ballydoyle pair Amadeus Mozart and Dorset when fourth at the Curragh on debut.

Jessica Harrington’s Wyman, Ger Lyons’ Genchev and Johnny Murtagh’s Blue Blue Moon are all unraced and complete the line-up.