Necklace proves a real Diamond in the Ingabelle Diamond Necklace got Aidan O’Brien off to the best possible start at the Irish Champions Festival when justifying strong support in the Listed Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes in Leopardstown. The 1/2 favourite, successful on debut at the Curragh last month, appeared to have plenty to do entering the home straight with stablemate Venosa having the field well stretched. Sukanya hit the front just inside the final furlong but was soon headed by the hot favourite who quickly took control under Christophe Soumillon. The daughter of St Mark’s Basilica kept on strongly under hands and heels riding to beat Sukanya by two and a quarter lengths with Caught U Sleeping putting in some good work in the closing stages a further half a length back in third. O’Brien said, “That was lovely, he gave her a lovely ride. She’s a lovely filly and she’s going to stay further. We’ll have a look at the Fillies Mile or the Boussac with her. “There was a good pace on. We knew at the Curragh that she was a filly that was going to want every yard of seven. He was very patient on her, it was an even gallop. I don’t think he even touched her. “The Curragh was her first time away from home and she still won. Usually if they do that they can often be a bit different. “She’s a filly that cost a lot of money, with a great pedigree, and her work was always very right. She’s by St Mark’s Basilica and he didn’t win his Group race until the Dewhurst, he went through the whole year.” Soumillon said, “She was a little bit impatient in the stalls and didn’t jump out properly and after that I had to change my plans because I was quite far back. “She responded really well when I asked her to quicken at the two-furlong marker, and she does it so easy.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
