Atsila going up the ranks at pace Bellewstown maiden to Group Three Coolmore Stud Auguste Rodin Irish EBF Athasi Stakes success was the path taken by the exciting Atsila, who delivered at the Curragh this afternoon for Donnacha O'Brien and Gavin Ryan. The triumphant daughter of Phoenix Of Spain was soon chasing the pace-setting Barnavara, along the inner from her gate one draw. That position looked like it might be problematic on the rail, with not a lot of room at the two pole. However, once Ryan got Barry Fowler's representative in the clear, the 11/1 shot found plenty to defeat Cercene by half a length. The aforementioned Barnavara finished third. Just a length and a quarter split the first four home, with California Dreamer taking the fourth. “She’s lazy at home so you don’t really know you have her,” said Donnacha O’Brien (joining his father and brother as successful handlers on this programme). “We gave her a run in Bellewstown and she bolted up from a position she shouldn’t have. “We said we’d throw her in the deep end here and she’s coped with that as well so she’s obviously a very solid filly. “They went hard, there were no hiding places, she travelled well. She got a little bit tight for room as well, if she had a clear run she might have won a bit further. “She just looks like she’s a good filly. “I spoke to Barry last week about putting her in the Coronation. I talked him out of it and obviously shouldn’t have. “We’ll see how she comes out of it. If she comes out of it very well Barry mentioned that we could supplement for the Irish Guineas or something like that. “All you can do from now is go up in class and see where her level is. She’s two from two and she’s earned a shot at a good race.” The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Bint Queen Kindly, trained by D. K. Weld, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Chantez, trained by G.M.Lyons, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. (GC & EM)
