UK-import Beset overcomes traffic at Sligo Beset (15/2) was indeed troubled with a nightmare passage through Sligo’s Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap today but the UK-import found late racing-room to score on her Irish debut, under Declan McDonogh. A winner of her previous start for trainer Henry Candy at Wolverhampton last October, Beset was purchased later that month for 25,000gns and today debuted for trainer Joseph O’Brien and the Blake/Palmer/Wilson and Luck partners. The held-up four-year-old filly made progress entering the home straight but was hemmed in on the inside until leader Fratas edged left inside the final furlong, allowing the winner through to score by 1.25 lengths. McDonogh later explained “I’d no other option as if you come five deep, you won’t win either. I had to sit, the gap opened late but she had a gear and wanted to get into it which helps a jockey.” “We went a hell of a gallop and she couldn’t go with them early so I had to let her get comfortable. At halfway she came back on the bridle and I was able to go in and save a bit of ground, but was in traffic and needed a bit of a luck.” He added “we didn’t know much about her so today was a learning day and hopefully she will progress. “They are sharp lads that are buying them and they know the form well in England. She’s won over 1m4f so that won’t be a problem, and won’t want extremes of ground. She’s a very likeable filly.” Quotes from Alan Magee
