Manning’s change of tactics pay off

A change of tactics instigated by Kevin Manning enabled Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Pleascach to return to her best in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire.

Having won at the Curragh over a milebackin May, she looked guaranteed to be even better over further.

However, she was beaten by Curvy in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot and could finish only fifth in the Pretty Poly Stakes over 10 furlongs.

Given that was her fifth run in quick succession, the Teofilo filly could be excused that, and Jim Bolger gave her a 53-day break.

Manning, though, felt she had been beaten the last twice because he was trying to hold her up in her races, breaking her stride in the process, and told connections pre-race that he would be letting her stride on.

That she did not have to make the running was down to Hugo Palmer’s Irish Oaks winner Covert Love, who benefited from a strong gallop in winning her Classic. When she kicked two lengths clear with two furlongs to run she looked certain to add another notch to her burgeoning CV.

But the wily Manning, who has as much big-race experience as anybody thanks to the champions his father-inlaw keeps producing year on year, got Pleascach rolling and the 8-1 chance got home by a neck with the same back to Francois Doumen’s Sea Calisi.

It was not all good news for Manning as he was hit with a two-day ban (September 3 and 4) for using his whip above the permitted level, but that was only a minor blemish on another Group One success.

“Previously we tried to settle her a little bit and it meant breaking her stride, so Kevin decided whatever happened today he wasn’t going to break her stride,” said Bolger.

Picture: PA. Pleascach ridden by Kevin Manning, left, beats Covert Love to win the Darley Yorkshire Oaks during day two of the Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival on the Knavesmire.