Zaynab and Declan McDonogh.© Photo Healy Racing
In an almost identical finish to when winning her maiden here last time, the Gordon Elliott trained Zaynab got up right on the line to claim another Curragh success when winning the QuinnBet Fillies Handicap at headquarters.
Drawn out wide, the Bective Stud owned filly was somewhat keen in the initial stages, as Ryan Moore made the running on 9/2f Flight Of Fancy
By half-way, the daughter of Phoenix Of Spain had settled better, taking up a prominent position in fourth.
Over two furlongs out, it appeared as though Profit Refused might emerge as the main threat to Flight Of Fancy but as the former began to come under pressure, McDonogh moved second in pursuit of the leader.
As Zaynab got alongside Flight Of Fancy over 150 yards out, the latter responded in gallant fashion to stick her neck out and find extra. It was only in the dying strides that the eventual winner forced her head in front.
Aidan ‘Mouse’ O’Ryan rep. Gordon Elliott said: “She’s a nice filly and is progressing well. Obviously we bought her because she is a half-sister to Zanahiyr.
“She’s coming along steady, is tough and put her head down when needed today. We stepped her up in class to see where we were really.
“We bought her as a yearling to be a juvenile hurdler, but we might have to redirect her now!
“We’ll probably have a look at the Sandringham now in Royal Ascot, a mile fillies only. She probably needs a little bit of kindness in the ground, but Noel and Valerie would love a day out in Royal Ascot.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
