Provocateuse and Scott McCullagh (left) win from Young Angel (noseband) © Photo Healy Racing
Easy-to-back at 16/1, Provocateuse made all in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap to give 5lb claimer Scott McCullagh his tenth winner of the season.
Gradually edging across towards the favoured stands’ side, the daughter of Pride Of Dubai was ridden over a furlong out and found plenty for pressure to beat Young Angel by a length and a half.
The winner had won races over five furlongs last month at Bellewstown and the Curragh and this was a first success over six.
Two horses, Independent Missy and the winner’s stablemate Rosie Bassett came out through the front of the stalls and ran loose before being withdrawn. A stalls handler, who had gone to the front of the stalls to try and retrieve the former before she went up the track, had a lucky escape when the latter filly subsequently burst out through the gates and just missed the unsighted handler as she galloped away.
Richie Galway, representing winning trainer Jessica Harrington, said: “Scott gave her a good positive ride. It was unfortunate for the other filly (the withdrawn Rosie Bassett) and obviously the delay at the start didn’t help.
“She stayed the trip well and handled the ground. It’s another step and she’s been progressive.
“The way she stayed that out probably gives her some more opportunities.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
