Holy Orders impresses at Fairyhouse
Enigmatic performer Holy Orders put his best foot forward to claim the Listed Ballycullen Stakes at Fairyhouse today.
The Willie Mullins-trained gelding, sent off at 8-1, showed his appreciation for the cut in the ground when powering clear a furlong and a half out.
Holy Orders cruised to a three-and-half-length win over 13-8 favourite Mkuzi in the 14-furlong contest with Maharib staying on for third.
The winner famously refused to do track work when sent to Australia for the Melbourne Cup and clearly has his own ideas about racing.
“He’s extraordinary. He just seems to appreciate give in the ground. I have a whole heap of Group and Listed contests in mind and the ground will dictate where he goes,” said Mullins.
“He’s an odd character. He worked very ordinary during the week.”
British raider One Off, representing the in-form team of Mark Prescott and Seb Sanders, lead early but faded when headed and finished a well-beaten seventh.
Trainer Kevin Prendergast landed a double with Gouache and Amarula Ridge.
Front-running tactics proved the key to Gouache as she bounced out and made all in the Fairyhouse Nursery.
She was well-drawn in seven and Brian Hughes got her out quickly before staying on gamely in the straight to hold Tivoli Fountain by half a length.
Amarula Ridge produced a good finish under Declan McDonogh to beat Time Discloses All by four lengths in the concluding Rackenstown Race.
Hemaris is set to be tried in Listed company after opening her account in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
Mick Halford’s filly was poorly drawn in stall one and the trainer was full of praise for jockey Tadhg O’Shea after he steered the filly across and came with a late run to deny Mount Eliza by a head in the shadow of the post.
Indian’s Feather will try to follow up in handicap company after getting off the mark in the Ratoath Maiden while Fandango Dancer scored for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen in the Dunboyne Handicap.
