Storm Cove will make the leap to Group One company after easily landing odds of 4 to 9 at Naas yesterday. The Kevin Prendergast-trained filly had to give weight all round in the six furlong Goffs Race but never looked in any danger as she made all the running to beat Spanish Sal by an eased-down two lengths.
"She's a nice filly and will go for the Heinz (57 Phoenix Stakes) next," said Prendergast who last won the Leopardstown contest, to be run this year on August 9th, with Bradawn Breever in 1991.
"She settles well enough but I told Stephen (Craine) not to pull her around if nothing else went on. She's from a fast family but she's probably got a mile," the Curragh trainer added.
In contrast, the EBF Fillies Maiden produced a very exciting finish which made the judge call for a print to split Style Parade and the favourite, Darina. That resulted in Darina just getting the nod to give Jim Bolger his 10th winner of the season.
Another favourite to oblige on a good day for favourites was Golden Rule, who took it up from Layik early in the straight in the Kill Handicap and wasn't all out to hold King Of Peace by a length.
"He may go for the Ulster Harp Derby but it's a very competitive race," said his trainer Frances Crowley.
Racing opened with a success for Sheikh Mohammed and John Oxx with Rhine Valley in the Derrinstown Maiden. However, it was a more momentous event for Summerhill, Co Meath, apprentice Kevin Lavelle, who was riding only his second winner. His previous success was on Renge at Galway last year.
Oxx and the Sheikh also won the last when Outspoken overcame Hibernian Rhapsody in a match. John Murtagh on Outspoken tracked Hibernian Rhapsody to the two furlong pole and managed to get the colt home by a length despite him drifting to the right.
David Elsworth yesterday revealed he is tempted to "shoot for the jackpot" and supplement Napoleon's Sister for next Sunday's Irish Oaks.
He reckons his Lupe Stakes winner is in "wonderful form" and is considering paying £25,000 to add her to the field for the Curragh Classic.
