Curragh review

A round-up of the pick of the rest of the action from the Curragh on Irish 1,000 Guineas day.
Ocean Jewel sparkles in Curragh victory
Ocean Jewel swept to an impressive victory in the Lanwades Stud Stakes at the Curragh.
Willie McCreery’s filly was making her seasonal debut in the Group Two contest, having been off the track since finishing a well-beaten eighth in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September.
She travelled powerfully throughout under a confident Billy Lee and quickened up well from her wide position to score comfortably by a length and a quarter from Goldana.
“They went no gallop and she was a bit fresh early on, but Billy got her settled and she finished out well. I’m delighted with that,” said McCreery after the 8/1 success.
“We’ll go on to Royal Ascot now for the Duke of Cambridge. She’s won a Group Three and a Group Two now and that’s very important as she’s well bred and it’s great for Al Shira’aa Farms.
“There were a few races that we probably should have entered her in, but she would have had to carry a Group Three penalty and I just said it wasn’t fair on her and we’d wait for this and it would be a nice pipe-opener for Royal Ascot.
“She stayed the mile well. Once she settles early, she’ll stay it no bother.”
Rogue Millennium, winner of the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot last year for Tom Clover, was the even-money favourite on her first start for Joseph O’Brien after being sold for 1.65 million guineas at Tattersalls in December.
While Ocean Jewel was kept out of trouble, Rogue Millennium was all dressed up with nowhere to go against the rail when delivering her challenge and had to make do with minor honours in third.
Heavens Gate opens the door to Ascot
Heavens Gate earned herself a place on Aidan O’Brien’s Royal Ascot squad with victory in opening race on Irish 1,000 Guineas day at the Curragh.
A narrowly beaten second her racecourse debut at Navan three weeks ago, the daughter of Churchill was a 2/1 shot to go one better in Trainor Stone And Tile Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.
Ryan Moore’s mount travelled well throughout and picked up smartly to pull two and a half lengths clear of stablemate January, who also looks a winner in waiting judged on this promising introductory effort.
Of Heavens Gate, O’Brien said: “We think she’s an Albany filly. She came forward from Navan, which Ryan thought she would. She’s a good, smart filly.
“She’s a powerful filly. Her dam is 22 and hadn’t bred a good one until now. Churchill is obviously a decent stallion.”
Paddy Power and Betfair make the winner a 10/1 chance for the Albany Stakes at Ascot next month.
McDonogh leaves it late on Zaynab
Zaynab lunged late to claim top honours in the QuinnBet Spring Fillies Handicap for trainer Gordon Elliott and jockey Declan McDonogh.
A short-head winner on her most recent visit to the track last month, the 17/2 chance finished with a flourish to follow up, defeating 9/2 favourite Flight Of Fancy by a head.
“She’s a nice filly and is progressing well. Obviously we bought her because she is a half-sister to Zanahiyr,” said Elliott’s representative Aidan ‘Mouse’ O’Ryan.
“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.”