Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
AP’S RISE AND FALL
Mccoy wins big Champions race then comes a cropper during celebrations
THE Curragh was jam-packed for the Pat Smullen Champions Race For Cancer Trials Ireland yesterday, which overshadowed the four Group 1 events on the card.
And the event produced a great spectacle as Tony Mccoy made all the running on Sheila Lavery’s Quizical to see off Aussie Valentine (Ruby Walsh), Red Striker (Johnny Murtagh) and Katiymann (Paul Carberry).
But, on a memorable day for all present, Mccoy crash-landed in his attempt at a Frankie Dettori-style flying dismount in the winner’s enclosure (inset).
In the Group 1 action, Pinatubo proved the undoubted star as the 1/3 favourite produced an incredible performance to land the Goffs Vincent O’brien National Stakes for Godolphin, Charlie Appleby and William Buick.
He made it five-in-a-row, retaining his unbeaten record in spectacular style, storming clear to slam chief Ballydoyle hope Armory by nine lengths.
It was arguably the most impressive performance I’ve ever seen by a two-year-old, clearly an exceptional colt and now odds-on with some firms for next year’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas.
“It felt unbelievable,” declared Buick, who was riding the colt for the first time in a race.
“It was a proper race, but he just kept lengthening and quickening. He’s an unbelievably exciting horse, with a great temperament.”
It was fitting that, on a day which honoured Pat Smullen, the Comer Group International Irish St. Leger went to his former boss Dermot Weld and Moyglare Stud Farm as Search For A Song, the only filly and only three-year-old in the line-up, keen early and sent to the front by Chris Hayes, outpointed her older rivals.
“It was a very hard call for Chris to make – it was going to be brilliant or disaster,” said Weld (who was winning the race for the eighth time).
“But he got it right, so it was brilliant. It was a great performance. She’s a smart filly and the world will be her oyster next year.”
Weld and Hayes had initiated a big-race double with Tarnawa in the Moyglare-sponsored, Group 2 Blandford Stakes.
Following-up Saturday’s four-timer at Leopardstown, Aidan O’brien and Ryan Moore completed a Group 1 double.
Fairyland pipped stable-companion So Perfect in the Flying Five, with both fillies now set for a crack at the Abbaye at Longchamp.
And Love booked her ticket to the Fillies Mile when bouncing back to form in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.