Shock defeat for Royal Affinity

THE dangers of betting odds on were highlighted yet again at Naas yesterday when the 1 to 2 favourite for the Oldtown Stud Race, Royal Affinity, was beaten a neck by Via Verbano.

The pick of the paddock he may have been, and rumoured to be Group class he may have been too, but Royal Affinity found disappointingly little when Christy Roche asked for maximum effort inside the final furlong.

The favourite had travelled reasonably well to challenge Via Verbano and Orange Grouse at the distance, but although Kevin Manning was the first to go for his whip on Via Verbano, the filly showed admirable resolution to battle to the line.

Via Verbano still holds an entry for Saturday's Airlie-Coolmore Irish 1,000 Guineas and although she will be left among those entries until later in the week, Bolger is more likely to be represented in that classic by Azra, who also carries the colours of Harry Dobson.

The O'Brien newcomer Kitza also started at 1 to 2 for the Woodlands Maiden, and although she hardly won effortlessly, she did at least win. Running understandably green, Kitza had had to be niggled along by Roche in the latter half of the race but kept pulling out more to hold the fast-finishing Challenger Two by half a length and give O'Brien his sixth juvenile success from the nine two-year-old races run so far this season.

Colm's Rock, in contrast, started second favourite and could hardly have won the Oberstown Handicap Hurdle any easier. Charlie Swan produced the gelding to lead before the last and eased him right down at the line. "He's a real summer horse and will be kept going," O'Brien commented.

Pat Gilson's career has been rather stop-start of late, announcing his retirement before last season, then returning to the saddle before going to Dubai for the winter. However his first ride back this season, Kephren, was a winner at Downpatrick on Saturday and he followed that up with the well-backed Rossmore Girl who overhauled the pacesetting Keeping The Faith in the last furlong to win by a length.

John Oxx's tally for the season so far is not up to its usual heights but Glasshouse provided encouragement with a battling neck defeat of Stefka in the six-furlong maiden.

Punters got the hint when Richard Dunwoody arrived for one ride and guided the well-backed favourite Quinze to a smooth victory in the maiden hurdle, while Oonagh's Star overcame trouble early in the race to win the bumper for Tony Coyle and Paddy Mullins.

Michael Kinane will ride Yalaietanee in Sunday's Lexus Irish 2,000 Guineas if, as expected, the Michael Stoute-trained colt is confirmed a definite runner in the race later this week.

Yalaietanee beat Revoque in Newbury's Greenham Stakes before disappointing when starting favourite for the French 2,000 Guineas eight days ago.

Kinane is also on standby to ride the English 1,000 Guineas runner-up Oh Nellie in Saturday's Airlie-Coolmore Irish 1,000 Guineas if Neville Callaghan decides to run the filly.

John Oxx confirmed yesterday that his maiden winner Khatara will take her place in the 1,000. "She's a bit inexperienced but her race at the Curragh sharpened her up," Oxx said.