ROLY POLY ROUTS THE OPPOSITION
AIDAN O’BRIEN won his first Prix Rothschild at Deauville yesterday as Roly Poly claimed her second Group One.
Ryan Moore always had the daughter of War Front in a prominent position just off the pace set by Usherette, with last year’s winner and favourite Qemah held up in the rear by Cristian Demuro.
As Usherette started to wilt towards the stands’ rail Roly Poly took up the running with Qemah making her challenge closest to the stands.
Jean-Claude Rouget’s filly couldn’t reel in the leaders, though, finishing fourth as Roly Poly hung on for a narrow success over Via Ravenna and Siyoushake.
It was the second Group One win in as many races for Roly Poly after her success in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s July Festival on her previous start.
In the following race Richard Fahey’s Darkanna finished second in the Group Three Prix de Cabourg. The race was won by the Freddie Head-trained Tantheem, who powered clear for an easy victory.
Over the sticks at Uttoxeter, the Skeltons were celebrating a treble.
The trainer-jockey combination of Dan and Harry got off on the right note with 8-13 favourite Listen To The Man.
But punters who had taken those short odds suffered a heart-stopping moment when the seven-year-old made a complete mess of the third flight from home.
But he recovered so well that he was able to forge clear of market rival Rebel Yeats (6-4) to record an 11-length success.
Win number two came in the novices’ chase when Work In Progress (6-5) beat 11-10 favourite Solatenif.
The third leg of the treble came via last-race winner Shrubland, having his first run since leaving Alexandra Dunn in June.