Alexandrova wins Irish Oaks
Kieren Fallon did what he does best as he guided Alexandrova to a hugely impressive victory in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh.
The six-times champion rode a supremely confident race on the Aidan O’Brien-trained 8-15 favourite, sitting in last place before weaving through the field to take up he running inside the final furlong.
Sir Michael Stoute’s Scottish Stage (13-2), who chased the long-time leader Flyingit from the outset, was four lengths in arrears, with Rising Cross back in third.
Alexandrova became O'Brien's 12th Irish Classic winner but his first in this mile-and-a-half showpiece.
It is the third time Fallon, who faces a court appearance in London tomorrow, has completed the English-Irish Oaks double as he partnered Ramruma in 1999 and the brilliant Ouija Board in 2004.
Those who took the odds-on never had any cause for concern, with Fallon having all his rivals covered turning into the straight.
As Scottish Stage took up the running two furlongs out, Ribblesdale winner Mont Etoile threatened briefly and Rising Cross, second at Epsom, also threw down a challenge.
But when Fallon asked a question of the Sadler’s Wells filly she quickly put the race to bed.
The disappointment of the race was the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Confidential Lady, who never got in a blow.
