Manduro’s Ribbons On Top In Blandford Clash

Bouncing back from a disappointing sixth in the Aug. 23 G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville which she had won in 2014, Ribbons upstaged the returning TDN Rising Star Tapestry as the older fillies and mares emerged on top of the Classic generation. Second in the G1 Prix de l’Opera de Longchamp last October after her Deauville achievement, the homebred had put up a respectable comeback effort when third under a penalty in the G2 Middleton S. over an extended 10-furlong trip at York May 14. Also in that position in the G1 Pretty Polly S. over this track and trip June 28, the bay had been placed more prominently when failing to meet expectations back in the Jean Romanet last time and with that in mind was switched off in last early by Tom Queally. Making smooth progress down the outer, she rolled to the front a furlong out and appeared to idle as Tapestry stayed on up her inner in a highly satisfactory comeback effort. “The thing that was most important was that myself and James decided to get her relaxed in the early part of the race so she would have more in the straight and she settled well,” Queally explained. “I was a bit concerned there might be a lack of pace, but they went an even tempo and I came there with a double handful. She had some good form in France and I had a lot of confidence in her. Regardless of position, I was always going to ride her with confidence. She likes to get her toe in and tries very hard. She was a little temperamental going to post, but coming back was easier.” Elite Racing’s manager Dan Downie added, “Last time we know it was all wrong and it was good to get back on track and in the same sort of form we know she’s capable of. We’ll sit down and have a proper chat. I’d have thought the [Oct. 4] G1 Prix de l’Opera might come a bit quick, but she’s in the G1 Champion S. [at Ascot Oct. 17] which can cut up.”

Sunday, Curragh, Ireland
MOYGLARE “JEWELS” BLANDFORD S.-G2, €200,000, CUR, 9-13, 3yo/up, f, 10fT, 2:10.14, gd.
1–RIBBONS (GB), 133, m, 5, by Manduro (Ger)
1st Dam: Sister Act (GB), by Marju (Ire)
2nd Dam: Kalinka (Ire), by Soviet Star
3rd Dam: Tralthee, by Tromos (GB)
O/B-Elite Racing Club (GB); T-James Fanshawe; J-Tom Queally. €120,000. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, SW & GSP-Eng, 13-7-2-3, $581,976. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tapestry (Ire), 133, f, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Rumplestiltskin (Ire), by Danehill. O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd; B-Orpendale & Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien. €40,000.
3–Bocca Baciata (Ire), 126, f, 3, Big Bad Bob (Ire)–Sovana (Ire), by Desert King (Ire). (€230,000 Ylg ‘13 GOFORB). O-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd; B-Citadel Stud (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. €20,000.
Margins: HF, 1 1/4, 1HF. Odds: 3.00, 4.00, 2.00.
Also Ran: Lady of Dubai (GB), Easter (Ire), Outstanding (Ire), Lady Tiana (GB), Kataniya (Ire), Carla Bianca (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result, the brisnet.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.