3 minute read
Dank continued Sir Michael Stoute's fine season when lifting the feature Kilboy Estate Stakes (Group Two) at the Curragh in impressive style.
The dual Group Three scorer, a close third in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stake at Royal Ascot, was sent off the 5-4 favourite and was always well positioned just off the pace by Ryan Moore.
Once a gap came Dank swept aside Aloof a furlong and a half out and bolted clear before easily holding Say, who came from out of the pack, by a length and three-quarters, with Caponata third.
Stoute's partner Coral Pritchard-Gordon said: "I spoke to Michael on the phone and he's absolutely delighted. Ryan was thrilled with her and felt she was a better filly today.
"She's still improving and loves the ground. All went right for her today once she got a gap. She has a great temperament and if she continues to improve I would presume she would try to win a Group One."
Yorkshire-based trainer Declan Carroll took another major prize back across the Irish Sea when Whozthecat won the boylesports.com Rockingham Handicap in the hands of claimer Luke Leadbitter.
The six-year-old (8-1), second in the Paddy Power Sprint on his visit to the track last month, was always prominent and led inside the final furlong before holding the late thrust of Nafa by a neck, with the favourite Yulong Baoju in third.
Irishman Carroll, whose used to train on the Curragh, said: "I wasn't worried about coming back to five furlongs as he's done most of his winning over five. Most ground comes easily to him. My biggest win before this was the John Smith's Silver Cup at York. Money-wise, this is the biggest.
"To make sure of the 10lb claim for this I kept Luke back for the last few weeks. He's very good value for it and probably missed a couple of winners."