Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Devious is in good Company
DEVIOUS COMPANY remains on course for tomorrow’s Irish EBF Ballyhane Stakes at Naas after his fine effort to finish runner-up at York.
Tom Dascombe’s classy two-year-old was just outdone by Happy
Romance in Thursday’s Goffs UK Premier Yearling Stakes.
Devious Company won his first two starts in maiden and novice company at Haydock, and was then twice a Group Two runner up – in the bet365 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket and the Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.
The son of Fast Company stepped down to six furlongs at York, something Dascombe felt contributed to his defeat.
“Sadly, for me, not for Richard Hannon (trainer of Happy Romance), the one danger was dropping back on a faster track,” he said.
“He’s never been the fastest out of the stalls but he’s always got away with it until now.
“After a hundred yards, he couldn’t win. He’s a nice horse, but the winner is very good. I thought we ran a great race – it just didn’t work out for us.”
At Naas the €150,000 on offer to the winner is especially attractive to the Cheshire trainer when he compares it to reduced levels of prize money in Britain because of the coronavirus pandemic.
“It’s very tempting to go to Ireland for that sales race,” he said.
“As we all know, the prize money this year is absolutely shocking. Ballyhane, the sponsor, have done a fantastic job of putting on really good prize money - and they deserve to be really well supported.
“I would dearly love to run him, but if I think there’s any reason not to then I’ve got until midday to make up my mind. The intention is definitely to run on Sunday.”