3 minute read
The first Group race on Irish Guineas weekend went the way of the Givemethebeatboys following a hardy display to land the Marble Hill Stakes on his second start.
Like the majority of this field, Jessie Harrington's runner made a perfect start to his career when getting up late to prevail narrowly at Navan two weeks ago.
Valiant Prince ploughed a lone passage towards the far side rail for much of the contest, but it soon became apparent the nearside ground was in front entering the final furlong. The well-supported favourite Noche Magica (13/8) came with a good-looking run but found himself worried out of things late as Givemethebeatboys (11/1) held on grimly for a head success under stable jockey Shane Foley. His Majesty fared best of the Aidan O'Brien pair finishing back in third while Democracy, the mount of Ryan Moore, was the major disappointment of the race.
A possible tilt at Royal Ascot's Coventry Stakes could be on the cards.
Speaking to Racing TV following the race jockey Shane Foley said: "We took him out here and at Cork because of soft ground and we were getting frustrated. It turned out heavy in Navan and I said to Jessie look if he's a good horse he'll win on any ground, and it proved that way."
"I think he'll probably go Coventry [Stakes at Royal Ascot]. He's not slow but a stiff six over there where it's rattling, and they'll be going hard in front of him. Look there are a couple of impressive English horses at the moment, but he's beaten what's at home here, so you have to be happy with him."
Assistant trainer Kate Harrington added: "It's great to kick off the day with a Group Three winner. He was very professional out there and he out-battled the other horses the whole way to the line. He was very impressive when he won at Navan, a furlong down you'd think 'how is this horse going to win?' and he put his head down and galloped the whole way to the line. He hated the ground that day and was green. He's learned an awful lot from that and will learn an awful lot from today, he'll be even more competitive the next day when we go to Ascot."
Givemethebeatboys is currently a best-priced 20/1 with Paddy Power for the Coventry Stakes on the Tuesday of Royal Ascot.
