XENOBIA IN LOVE SHOCK
XENOBIA, ridden for Bill Farrell by Chris Hayes, swooped late to foil odds-on favourite Could It Be Love in the Group 3 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Brownstown Stakes in Fairyhouse yesterday.
Sent to the front by Donnacha O’brien early in the straight, Could It be Love looked set for victory.
But Hayes, riding his 32nd winner of the season, pounced late on 12/1 shot Xenobia to win by a halflength.
A delighted Farrell explained: “This was the first she got a proper pace and Chris was able to drop her in and take his time. It looked like she won snug enough.”
He added: “I didn’t want to go to Killarney or Galway with her because those tracks wouldn’t suit her. She seems to be learning as she goes along and we put her in the Matron (Group 1 at Leopardstown in September), which is probably ambitious – but today will pay the entry.”
Apprentice Ross Coakley took the riding honours in Fairyhouse, completing a handicap double on Johnny Murtagh’s progressive colt Baba Boom and Park Row, for his father Denis, in the finale.
Meanwhile, in Limerick, Denis O’shea’s stable-star Supreme Vinnie landed the €25,000 Galway Plate Trial, dashingly ridden by Rachael Blackmore.
Now a dual-winner over fences, the nine-year-old will be aimed at Galway where, in the words of his trainer he might “sneak into the Plate”. Alternatively, he’ll be aimed at the Grade B handicap hurdle on the Saturday of the meeting.
Paddy Kennedy rode out his 3lb claim when guiding Galway Plate-bound favourite Neverushacon, trained by Jessica Harrington, to a smooth success in the
Party Time Ltd. Marquee Hire Chase.
Henry de Bromhead shared a double with Davy Russell as One In All In proved best in the rated hurdle and Classic Theatre opened her account over fences in the beginners’ event.