STELLA POUNCES FOR APRIL GLORY AT ENNISCORTHY

Ian Fortune

Dairyhill Stella completed an impressive run through the April Open Unraced Stake at Enniscorthy on Monday night, riding a bump on the corner before coming through to land the €3,000 prize in fine style for Paul Hennessy and the MCSS Syndicate.

Going up fast from the outside box, the daughter of Ballymac Best and Dairyhill Josie held a narrow lead into the turn over Misterin Ger and Airdown Tee Jai. The last named forced his way past Dairyhill Stella at the bend to lad the field into the back straight.

Dairyhill Stella rode the bump well to turn second and was always close enough to mount a strong challenge. Dubai Kid, after a tardy start, also began to move forward down the back straight. BY the third turn he was third but was always going to struggle to get to the front.

After entering the back straight two and a half lengths adrift of Airdown Tee Jai, Dairyhill Stella was within a length and a half between the last two bends. It was on the run in that she finally pounced. With Airdown Tee Jai showing signs of fatigue, Dairyhill Stella came through in the final fifty yards to take over before crossing the line two lengths to the good in a rapid 28.77. Dubai Kid ran on strongly to take second, a half length ahead of Airdown Tee Jai.

The front three were the top three in the market and it’s clear each could go onto bigger and better things. Both the winner and the runner-up have fine pace throughout and will now take a jump up in grade, while Airdown Tee Jai has really tremendous pace to the third turn and could also become a top performer if strengthening up.