Well-related three-year-old off the mark over hurdles at the first attempt.
There was much anticipation for Hurdling debutante Zaynab, daughter of Phoenix of Spain, and she did not disappoint. The filly had already won two of four flat starts and last lined up in the Group 2 Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot, where she faded down the field. But the move into jumping seemed to come effortlessly as she traveled and jumped well under gentle handling by Sam Ewing. Zaynab, co-top pick at 2-1, showed the class that would have explained her results over longer distances by building a gap on the field inside the final 100 yards after clearing the last hurdle, dumping Teriferma, an undefeated opponent, by four lengths.
Assistant trainer Lisa O'Neill was very pleased with Zaynab's maturity and handling, as the tendency she had developed for racing keenly in the past was served with a healthy dose of medication in the hood. "The key was that she had to settle, which she did, and the hood worked. She preserved all the energy she needed, and it was a great ride by Sam," O'Neill said. The team was ecstatic as Sam Ewing flashed a report that Zaynab still had plenty left in the tank, hinting at more potential as she went along. Hoping to make it onto the track at Down Royal in November, Zaynab's maiden over jumps can only have left her trailblazing a very promising path.
Action elsewhere on the card saw World Of Fortunes (5-2) bring cheer to trainer Liam Kenny and rider Jordan Gainford with an authoritative success in the Cheesestrings Irish EBF Mares Hurdle. The six-year-old mare had impressed on her hurdling debut at Wexford and delivered a repeat performance, beating the Willie Mullins-trained favorite Paggane by four lengths. Part-owner Michael Broderick from Listowel was just thrilled that his homecoming run went all right. "She has come on a lot, and this faster pace suited her," said the proud owner proudly.
A single Standard, under jockey Keith Donoghue, gave bookmakers a scare in the Kerry Group Irish EBF Mares Handicap Hurdle and produced a late-run victory by a short head over 6-4 favorite Straight Home. Willie Mullins and Paul Townend combined to land Uncle Pat, 7-4 joint-favourite, in the Dairygold Maiden Hurdle. "He is maturing and I think he will keep improving," said the townend of the juvenile.
O'Brien's pair, San Salvador (15-2) and Jordans (2-1), ruled the roost in the Strings & Things Rated Novice Chase and San Salvador proved the stronger, winning by a length and three-quarters. His assistant, Sean Corby, felt that both ran seriously well and, although Jordan was the favourite, he has more to come with racing. Solness ended his stay in the winners' enclosure after scoring with a second O'Brien quick-fire double of the day as part of his ride in the Kerry Group Handicap Chase, a 13-2 favorite. The gelding, ridden by 5lb claimer Oakley Brown, showed grit to repel The Banger Doyle by half a length in a tight finish.
The meeting ended with Cappucino, trained by Liz Doyle, taking the Farm & Home Store Pro/Am INH Flat Race. It was ridden by jockey John Gleeson, who had his mount front running throughout in a proper front-running performance to finish well clear of its rivals and complete a full day of pulsating action and quality performances at Listowel. While attention now turns to the autumn's races, Zaynab's excellent debut has already minted her as one to watch in the seasons ahead. Targeting Down Royal next time, the talented filly is certainly all set for a promising future over hurdles.
