Chrysanthemum has things under control as she approaches the line under Wayne Lordan© Photo Healy Racing
The feature race at the Curragh this afternoon, the Group 3 Lodge Park Stud EBF Park Express Stakes for fillies only, went to the first time blinkered Chrysanthemum for trainer David Wachman with Wayne Lordan aboard.
The 4yo daughter of Danehill Dancer won her only two starts as a 2yo but failed to score last season finishing seventh in 1000 Guineas over the course and distance before running well when stepped up to 1m 2f to finish third in the Pretty Polly Stakes.
She rounded off last season with a disappointing effort in the Group 2 Blandford Stakes finishing a well beaten seventh behind Manieree last September.
Having opened at 10/1 on course today she was well supported and returned at 8/1.
The winner tracked the leaders early on under a keen hold but when ridden a furlong from home she responded and stayed on best from there to score by a length and a half at the line.
The 7/4 favourite Twirl under Ryan Moore for Aidan O’Brien had her chance but just couldn’t chase down the winner and had to settle for second while the 7/1 shot Princess Sinead finished a further length and a quarter back in third under Shane Foley for Jessica Harrington.
Winning trainer David Wachman said afterwards: "She likes an ease and never really got her ground last year. She was third in a Group 1 and so she was entitled to win this today.
"She will go for any of those Group races now as long as the ground is not too firm. The blinkers helped her today."
Aidan O’Brien trainer of the runner-up Twirl said afterwards: "She ran a lovely race and we are delighted with her."
