Bolger Sets Sights On Classic Prizes

With New Approach already favourite for the 2000 Guineas, Jim Bolger strengthened his Classic hand for 2008 courtesy of Saoirse Abu in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh.

The Mr Greeley filly was cut all round for the 1000 Guineas after confirming her victory against the colts in the Phoenix Stakes was anything but a fluke.

Guineas sponsors Stan James go 12-1 from 25 and spokesman Neil Morrice said: 'Jim Bolger can simply do no wrong in the trials for both Guineas.

'The addition of blinkers appears to have given her a big fillip and she's looking more and more like a serious candidate for our race, one who should have a good chance of following in the footsteps of Finsceal Beo next May.'

Having always been prominent under Kevin Manning, Saoirse Abu poked her head in front approaching the final furlong as Clive Brittain's Albabilia began to weaken.

And while well-backed 4-5 favourite Listen came with a strong run under the Kieren Fallon drive, she never looked like getting to the winner, who passed the post with one and a half lengths to spare.

Mad About You stayed on to claim third spot, while Albabilia had to settle for fourth.

Bolger said of his 13-2 scorer: 'I've been very happy with her and she's a hardy horse and very professional.

'We have no definite plans as yet, but I wouldn't be certain she'd run again this year.

'The 1000 Guineas is the real aim for her next year and even at this stage she wants a mile really.'

While Saoirse Abu's win rightly stole the limelight on a classy card, Bolger and Manning had already combined to great effect as Many Colours took the Dance Design Stakes.

Owned by Sheikh Mohammed, the 8-1 chance came with a strong run to fend off Magic Carpet and initiate a high-profile 661/2-1 double for the in-form duo.

'She's going the right way and we thought if we could get some black type we'd be doing well. There could be more improvement there,' Bolger said.

Group Three honours went the way of Norman Invader and British raider Benbaun, who took the Go And Go Round Tower Stakes and Nolan & Brophy Auctioneers Flying Five respectively.

The first-named sprung a 14-1 surprise when proving too strong for Perfect Polly and Aidan O'Brien's well-backed 2-5 favourite Great Barrier Reef.

Having witnessed their charge get off the mark at the fifth attempt, connections are now mulling an ambitious end-of-season target.

Winning handler Ken Condon said: 'There is a new race over a mile on the turf at the Breeders' Cup and we could go there, but we won't run again here unless the ground is right.'

Benbaun was landing his fifth win at the Curragh when just edging out Dandy Man in a thrilling conclusion to the Flying Five.

The winner was sent off at 100-30 and had to dig deep into his reserves to repel the rallying challenge of Tracey Collins' charge close home.

'He just loves this place and has won five from eight and been second on the other three occasions he's run here,' said Mark Hillen, co-owner of the winner, who has now won the Flying Five itself three times.

(C) PA Sport