The Major General (right) beats Secret Splendour© Photo Healy Racing
< Jet Setting lowered the colours of Minding in a pulsating finish to the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.
Fledgling trainer Adrian Keatley, who is making quite the name for himself this season, has worked wonders with this daughter of Fast Company who arrived at his yard in the winter having failed to win a race for Richard Hannon.
Most impressive in the 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown in April, she subsequently made the trip to the Newmarket where drying underfoot conditions saw her finish only ninth to the Minding.
However, with a wet week forecast, connections were convinced to stump up the 30,000 euro to supplement her for another classic tilt and were not left disappointed as the 9-1 winner displayed blistering speed from the outset before gamely holding off the strong challenge of hot-favourite Minding to score by a head.
There was another high-profile reverse for the Ballydoyle camp in the Tattersalls Gold Cup as Found was slayed by old foe Fascinating Rock (9-4).
All eyes were on the star filly, who was sent off the 8-15 favourite following her resounding success here earlier in the month, but she was never able to master the eventual three and three quarter length victor who was kicked into the lead two furlongs from home and galloped all the way to the line.
Normal service was resumed for Aidan O'Brien in the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes as Beacon Rock claimed a thoroughly deserved success when making all of the running under Ryan Moore.
The 9-10 market leader briefly looked in trouble when joined by Foxtrot Charlie in the home straight but he found plenty for pressure and was two lengths on top at the finish with Santa Monica finishing well for second.
Sandwiched between his success on Fascinating Rock, jockey Pat Smullen chalked up a treble on the afternoon courtesy of Creggs Pipes (7-1) in Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Habitat' Handicap, and Joanna Lumley 70th Birthday Celebration Handicap victor Maneen (4-1 fav).
