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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Alpha Centauri mightily impressive in Naas

Sun 21st May 2017, 16:31

Alpha Centauri well clear in NaasAlpha Centauri well clear in Naas
© Photo Healy Racing

Alpha Centauri assumed favouritism for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot after pulverising the opposition at Naas.

Jessica Harrington 's charge went off 8/11 favourite for this Listed contest over six furlongs and the result was never in doubt.

She tracked Shapes before Colm O'Donoghue eased her into the lead approaching the halfway stage. The grey daughter of Mastercraftsman was given the office a furlong and a half out and moved clear at the furlong pole.

She stretched away to win impressively by five lengths from Actress (9/4).

This made it two from two over course and distance.

Jessica Harrington said: "The great thing today was she got a bit of an education and she was behind for a while. She was very goo, and when she went she just went.

"She's so relaxed and takes everything in her stride. She hardly breaks sweat.

"If she goes to Ascot it would be for the Albany. She's such an easy filly to train and she has some stride on her. I don't think going further will be any problem as the further she went today the further she went away."

Paddy Power cut her to 3/1 favourite (from 6/1) for the Albany Stakes.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.