3 minute read

Jim Bolger's filly Pleascach repelled hot favourite Found to claim Classic glory in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Having won the 10-furlong Blue Wind Stakes at Naas less than a fortnight ago in spectacular fashion, it was no surprise to see her ridden positively back over the mile by Kevin Manning, tracking pacesetting stable companions Mainicin and Steip Amach.

As that pair began to weaken heading inside the last two furlongs, 11-2 chance Pleascach moved into the lead and though Found looked set to mow her down inside the final furlong, Bolger's ace was not for catching and passed the post half a length to the good.

Devonshire was third ahead of Jack Naylor and Bocca Baciata.

Bolger said: "She has a nice bit of toe and is basically not a miler. She's a relentless galloper with a turn of foot as well.

"The Guineas is a bonus. It worked out well with a strong pace. I was a bit worried that a 66-rated filly (Mainicin) could do it (make the pace) and hopefully it won't affect her mark too much!

"She will go for the Irish Derby and then the Oaks after that. Entering her in the Derby wasn't so much what I thought about her, it was really what I thought about the colts, with all due respect to our neighbours.

"We think she's very good, she's right on that level with the colts.

"I bred the filly, her sire and the dam of the sire. She's explosive, just like her name (English translation of Pleascach)."

Manning added: "The pacemaker did a great job. I was able to do my own thing with no-one bothering me. From three out I just had to wind her up. It was a very fast-run race at Naas and I felt she had come on from that.

"Last year she won over seven and I think she's very versatile. I'd have no questions about a mile and a half."