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High-class Broome continues perfect start to season in Mooresbridge Stakes

Broome: bids to bag a breakthrough Group 1 in the Tattersalls Gold Cup
Broome: too good for Helvic Dream (pink cap) in the Group 2 Coolmore Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Broome completed a clean sweep of the season's first three Pattern races for older middle-distance performers in Ireland with a satisfactory success in the Group 2 Coolmore Sottsass Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes, rewarding Ryan Moore's journey to the Curragh as the 4-9 favourite.

His trainer Aidan O'Brien felt nothing went right for the 2019 Derby fourth last season – when just two starts resulted in a fourth in the Coronation Cup and last in the Long Distance Cup at Ascot – but this year has been a totally different story for the five-year-old.

His decisive Devoy Stakes victory at Naas in late March proved he was clearly in a good place to begin the campaign and he backed that Listed win up with a Group 3 triumph in the Alleged Stakes last month.
Ryan Moore: landed the Curragh's Bank Holiday Monday feature on Broome
Ryan Moore: landed the Curragh's Bank Holiday Monday feature on BroomeCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

"He's a lovely horse who's come back very well this year," said Moore after the classy son of Australia made it three stakes wins in 36 days, with the Coronation Cup or Tattersalls Gold Cup now possible options.

"There's plenty left in there and he kind of played with them, to be honest. He's unbeaten at ten furlongs but I do think he'll get further."

Moore added: "He's only had a couple of goes in Group 1s and he's been fourth on two occasions so he's entitled to have another go at it."

Bolger's dream run continues

Fresh from Qipco 2,000 Guineas glory on Saturday, Jim Bolger produced yet another ace from up his sleeve as Lunar Space took his form to a whole new level by winning the Listed Dick McCormick Irish EBF Tetrarch Stakes, rated just 81.

The Dawn Approach three-year-old had been rated 10lb lower prior to a gritty second in a Limerick maiden nine days earlier and showed a terrific attitude to overhaul Magnanimous, scoring at 14-1 under Kevin Manning.
Lunar Space (near side): defied an in-running high of 399-1 to score at the Curragh
Lunar Space (near side): defied an in-running high of 399-1 to score at the CurraghCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

The winner traded as big as 400 in running on Betfair, while the runner-up hit a low of 1.09.

Una Manning, representing her father, said: "The boss said he'll probably try to find another Listed or Group 3 race for him if he doesn't go to Hong Kong in the meantime, as there have been a few offers for him already."

Guineas talk with No Speak Alexander

Jessica Harrington enjoyed an excellent Punchestown festival and carried that form back to the Flat over the weekend, striking with the impressive Hell Bent at Sligo on Sunday before saddling a 1-2 in the Group 3 Coolmore Stud Circus Maximus Irish EBF Athasi Stakes.

No Speak Alexander relished the rain that fell throughout the morning at Irish Flat racing's HQ, toughing it out well to see off admirable stablemate Zaffy's Pride, while Matron Stakes heroine Champers Elysees could manage only fourth on her seasonal reappearance.
Shane Foley on No Speak Alexander: 'She's probably entitled to come back for the Irish Guineas now after that'
Shane Foley on No Speak Alexander: 'She's probably entitled to come back for the Irish Guineas now after that'Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Winning rider Shane Foley said: "I thought she might have run well in the French Guineas but we didn't have her in it. She's probably entitled to come back for the Irish Guineas now after that."

Impressive juveniles

The Fozzy Stack-trained Castle Star paid a handsome compliment to exciting two-year-old Glounthaune, going one better in the Listed Gain First Flier Stakes than when just touched off by that rival last time.

Quick Suzy, trained by Gavin Cromwell, also marked herself out as a quality juvenile when boosting Royal Ascot-bound Elliptic's form in the opening 6f maiden, winning readily by five and a half lengths.

Delight for Cullen family

It was a day to remember for 19-year-old apprentice Annalise Cullen, who came with a daring run up the rail to record her first winner in the concluding sprint handicap, partnering the well-backed Zephron, trained by her father Denis.

"It's unbelievable," she said. "I've been riding this horse since he was a two-year-old so I know him like the back of my hand."


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