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Pilot leaves rivals toiling

Ryan Moore made all the running on Air Pilot as the Ralph Beckett-trained six-year-old landed his first Group Three success in the Hermitage Medical Clinic International Stakes at the Curragh.

Air Pilot parading
Air Pilot parading Picture: Racing and Sports

Air Pilot (8-15 favourite) enjoyed an easy lead and had enough in the tank to comfortably see off the attentions of Parish Hall, representing the opening-race winning team of Bolger and Manning, by a length and a quarter.

Roheryn was some way behind as last of the three runners.

Beckett said: "We were lucky to fall into a three-runner Group Three. There's not many of those around and we didn't want to make the running as he's lazy in front.

"Ryan felt he probably did more on Thursday morning before he came over. I thought Ger Lyons' filly (Roheryn) was sure to go on, but they obviously decided otherwise.

"He's a home bred and had problems as a three-year-old and only came to me at the beginning of last year. He's ground dependent and needs juice in the ground. The rain last night was a big help. He was entitled to win a race of that nature."

Most Beautiful confirmed her promise with victory in the six-furlong Grangecon Stud Stakes.

Given a positive ride from Moore, the David Wachman-trained filly tracked the unbeaten Miss Elizabeth to the quarter-mile pole, before hitting the front with a furlong to run.

Moore had to keep her up to her work as Only Mine tried to challenge on her outside, but the well-backed 11-8 favourite kept on strongly to record victory by three-quarters of a length.

Wachman said: "She's always worked like a good filly. She's big and is still a bit weak, you could see that in the last furlong. She has a nice future.

"Ronan (O'Gara, part-owner) couldn't be here today as he's on a family holiday in the south of France, but I'd say he won't miss the next day wherever that is.

"She's well entered up and will go further. The one thing is she likes goodish ground."

RaceBets make the daughter of Canford Cliffs 20-1 from 25-1 for the Qipco 1000 Guineas.


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