Red silks, Chris Hayes wins on Castle Star© Photo Healy Racing
Tipperary winners are never in short supply on Classic days at the Curragh, usually of course hailing from Ballydoyle, but we had a second Premier County victor in as many races at HQ, not in training with the world superpower, when Castle Star impressed in the Group Three GAIN Marble Hill Stakes.
Under a beautifully judged Chris Hayes waiting ride, the sweet-travelling Fozzy Stack-handled Castle Star asserted inside the final furlong to beat Masseto by two lengths.
The runner-up and favourite didn’t get the run of the race but the 5/2 victor got the job done convincingly.
From the front Jim Bolger’s pair, Strapped and Celtic Times ultimately ended up in third and fourth positions.
“It's not often you see someone taking a pull a furlong out,” said Stack.
“The first day in Cork Chris got there a bit soon and we are learning how to ride him now.
“He's improving and bouncing out of his races.
“The plan in my head after the last day was to go straight to Ascot but he was going to come out over the door so we said we'd bring him up here and see how we got on.
“The Coventry is a possibility but I wouldn't rule anything in or not. There is the Railway back here which deserves consideration and we'll just see nearer the time.
“He's very straight forward, has a great constitution, bounces out of his races and is uncomplicated. If I didn't run him this week he would have killed somebody at home!”
Paddy Power go 6/1 from 14/1 about Castle Star for the Coventry Stakes.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined The Entertainer trained by A.P.O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(GC & EM)
