Davison eyes step up in class after ‘Church’ takes Naas prize
Jack Davison’s Take Me To Church is moving up in the world after a runaway success in the Irish Racing Writers Cliff Noone Memorial Madrid Handicap at Naas yesterday.
The three-year-old has won twice on the all-weather, but had clearly been considered a good turf prospect by his trainer ahead of his first start of 2024 on grass.
Under Ronan Whelan, the 4/1 shot prevailed by six-and-a-half lengths in the seven-furlong contest, won last year by Aidan O’Brien’s Paddington before he went on a five-race winning streak that included the Irish 2,000 Guineas, the St James’s Palace, the Coral-Eclipse and the Sussex Stakes.
The trainer (pictured) said the winner will now step up in grade, with the Listed Gladness Stakes on his agenda next.
“He’s a right little horse. It’s nice when a plan comes off and to bring up the hattrick by winning the Madrid is a great result,” said Davison. “He’s a turf horse really and I knew what he did in Dundalk wasn’t going to be what he could do on turf but he still won twice. He’s progressed with every run and it’s fantastic.
“I’d probably be in favour of having a go at the Gladness at the Curragh over seven, all going well. He has lots of options and won impressively. You don’t mind foregoing their handicap mark when they win a premier handicap in that style and you know you have a blacktype horse.”
Andrew Slattery’s Sunchart could be heading to Chester after taking Listed honours in the Devoy Stake.
Runner-up in the race in 2021 and 2023, the seven-year-old was last seen at the Curragh in November and was returning to action after a winter break.
Under the trainer’ s son, AndrewS lat te ryJnr,the5/1s hot found himself with an easy lead two furlongs from home before pulling further clear to cross the line six and a half lengths in front.
“The horses deserved it more than any of us. Pat (Garvey, owner) has had great perseverance with him and it’s great that he’s kept going,” the trainer said.
Sunchart was fourth in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester last season and could return to the Roodee if conditions are suitable. “I don’t think there is much coming up for him, the ground is the big thing. He might go back to Chester if the ground was soft, he ran well in the Ormonde last year,” said the trainer.
The Paddy Twomey-trained Purple Lily advertised her Classic claims with victory in the TRM Equine Nutrition Race.
A winner at Galway on her sole twoyear-old outing, Purple Lily was sent off the 10/11 favourite to maintain her perfect record in the mile heat.
She made smooth progress for Billy Lee and when sent to win her race a furlong out, she had more than enough in reserve to win by three lengths from the Group One-placed Portland.
“We might look at a Guineas trial and then the Irish Guineas. I think we’ll take our time,” said Twomey. “She’s versatile, and has a lovely attitude – hopefully we have a good year with her.”
Wendla could also be set for a Classic trial after a taking success in the opening Dubawi Legend EBF Fillies’ Maiden.
Beaten in two juvenile starts, Wendla was sent off an 11/2 chance to make it third time lucky for trainer Ger Lyons and jockey Colin Keane and she obliged in style, with a cosy two-and-a-half-length verdict over Harbour Gem.
The Ulysses filly is out of Breeders’ Cup winner Intercontinental, which is a daughter of Juddmonte’s prolific mare Hasili and counts Dansili, Banks Hill and Champs Elysees among her illustrious relations.
Janoobi (4/1 co-fav) made it a double for Lyons and Keane in the seven-furlong handicap, returning from a 575-day absence to win by five lengths from Ramiro.
Jim Bo lg er and Rory C lea ry combined to land the three-year-old handicap over seven furlongs with 20/1 outsider Naisiun, while the Joseph Murray-trained Master Garvey (3/1) took the finale under Robert Whearty.