Keepers Hill could be part of the Irish raiding party at Goodwood next week after opening her account in the five furlong Darley Stallions Maiden at Naas.
The Danehill filly made smooth headway to lead over a furlong out to beat the slowly away Titsan by a comfortable two-and-a-half-lengths, leaving Michael Kinane ten clear in the jockeys championship on the 44 winner mark.
'She is already Listed placed so will be campaigned in black type races from now on. She needs fast ground and, with so few opportunities available, is likely to spend more time in England than here,' said trainer Michael Halford, who nominated the King George V Stakes at Goodwood next week as a probable target.
Danaskaya justified strong support in the Yeomanstown And Morristown Lattin Studs EBF Maiden, getting the better of fellow newcomer Great Pyramid, a full brother to Rock Of Gibraltar. The pair pulled clear inside the final quarter mile, with Kevin Manning's mount proving the stronger close home to score by half a length.
'She is a very useful filly, and well entitled to step up in class. I have no immediate target in mind, but she will probably stay over six furlongs for the moment,' said trainer Jim Bolger of the Danehill filly, who earned a 33/1 quote from Sean Graham for next year's 1,000 Guineas.
Pat Shanahan is riding better than ever this season, and he was seen to great effect again when driving the Con Collins-trained Sizzie Em up close home to touch off Marie Pavie by a head in the Brophy Farrell Auctioneers Race.
Jimmy Mansell, who along with Sean McDermott, Mark Madden and Danny Howard is on the Irish jump jockeys team heading to Australia on August 2, produced Hunters Bar with a well-timed challenge to take the CBA Insurance Handicap Hurdle. Tim Doyle's charge led after the final flight to beat Colonel Bradley, who also stayed on well in the straight, by two lengths.
Ilios followed up his recent Navan win when prominent throughout under Davy Condon in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap, and just holding on in a three-way photo from Sheer Dane and Desert Hill.
Alan Magee
