Flag raised at Naas after Ascot flop Carry The Flag bounced back from Royal Ascot disappointment with a hard-fought victory in the Coolmore Stud Blackbeard Tipperary Stakes at Naas. A course and distance maiden winner in early May, Aidan O’Brien’s colt was then second in the Marble Hill Stakes at the Curragh behind esteemed stablemate Great Barrier Reef, who went on to maintain his unbeaten record in the Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting. It was therefore no surprise to see Carry The Flag sent off favourite to strike Royal Ascot gold himself in the Norfolk Stakes four days later, but having finished only ninth, he returned to home soil with a point to prove. Supporters of the 11-10 favourite were made to sweat for their money, but he ultimately got the job done by a head from Brazilian Diva under Derby-winning jockey Ronan Whelan. “For some reason he just never fired in Ascot and nothing came to light after,” said O’Brien’s representative Chris Armstrong. “He is in good form since, so Aidan said we’d bring him here and see. We knew coming here it’d be a touch short for him, but it was worth a go. “He’ll appreciate going six furlongs now. He’ll probably go for the Railway Stakes or over to the race in Goodwood (Richmond Stakes). “He’s a horse that keeps a little bit for himself and he’s still learning on the job, but he’s a nice one.” The other Listed race on the card went to Joseph O’Brien, with 5-1 shot Dancing Destiny securing victory in the Irish EBF Pat Smullen Stakes under Chris Hayes. O’Brien said: “This filly is very tough. Chris gave her a nice ride and we’re delighted. “She obviously had a good run here over six furlongs (third in Group Three in May), she stepped up to the mile today and she’s a stakes winner now.” The Owning Hill handler went on to complete a treble with 4-5 favourite Mai Dahlia, who was much too good for her rivals in the Naas Racecourse Fillies Maiden and Rodeo Blues (11-4 joint-favourite) in the Care At Home Handicap. Paddy Twomey is eyeing the Group Two Lowther Stakes at York as a potential destination for Concorde Landed after she justified 13-8 favouritism when making a winning debut in the EMS Copiers Irish EBF Fillies Maiden. He said: “It’s rare you see Paddy Twomey training a five-length winner first time out, or a first time out winner full stop. “She is a nice filly. She came from the breeze-ups and she was a nice filly there. She’s been straightforward since. “I didn’t do a lot with her since the sale. She’s come in, she’s cantered, she’s breezed a few times – she’s not been anywhere. “She is entered in the Lowther and she is entered in the Moyglare because I just felt she had talent. Billy (Lee) just said that maybe she has a bit too much speed for the Lowther but I think she’ll be OK – it would be the perfect race for her.”
