Miss Beatrix powers home

Curragh report: Miss Beatrix's Group One form was largely ignored before yesterday's Moyglare Stud Stakes and that was a costly mistake by punters as the Kevin Prendergast-trained filly powered up the Curragh to land a memorable 14 to 1 triumph.

A third place behind Holy Roman Emperor in the Phoenix Stakes a fortnight previously was dismissed by many in favour of the apparent potential of some of the others but the proven article won out to highlight a remarkable day for owner Bill Durkan.

Just half an hour later, the Mayo-born property developer saw his colours carried to victory in the Ladbrokes Cambridgeshire by the topweight Quinmaster. He was a well fancied 6 to 1 winner but Miss Beatrix was overlooked in the market in favour of the likes of her stable companion, Brazilian Bride, who, like the favourite Supposition, found trouble in running.

There were no such problems for Miss Beatrix, though, who pounced from the back of the field to short head the English raider Silca Chiave. It was a first Group One triumph for jockey Willie Supple since Fayr Jag won the 2004 Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot and a perfect advertisement for his skills in his first year back in Ireland after almost a decade riding in Britain.

However, the rider was clearly thrilled this top-flight success came on a Prendergast horse as he was apprenticed to the veteran Curragh trainer in the early 1990s. "The boss has done a wonderful job. She settled much better today and I always felt we'd get there," grinned Supple.

Miss Beatrix was beaten in the very first race of the season all the way back in March but Prendergast's only pre-race concern yesterday was about her lasting out the trip. "Her dam, Miss Bea Bea, was runner-up in the Phoenix (2001 to Johannesburg) and didn't get seven furlongs," he said afterwards. "Willie felt he should have been second the last day but he got a good run through the race today."

Boylesports saw enough in the display to make the winner a 20 to 1 shot for next year's 1,000 Guineas but a more immediate target for Miss Beatrix will be next month's Goffs 500,000 race on Ryder Cup race day.

The Durkan team wasted no time getting back to the winner's enclosure after Quinmaster added to his Galway Mile victory with a gallant all-the-way success from the Supple ridden Fields Of Joy. Johnny Murtagh rode an outstanding race and trainer Michael Halford said: "It's a long way up that straight with 10st 1lb on your back. He is out of handicaps now so we might look at a Listed. He was bought as a hurdler, though, and he is only rated 104 so we might have a look at the four-year-old hurdle at Listowel."

Pat Smullen was out of luck in the big race on board Supposition but made no mistake in the Group Three Flying Five Stakes as Benbaun overhauled Desert Lord to repeat his triumph of 2005. "He is one of the best sprinters in Europe but he needs fast ground," said trainer Mark Wallace, who will aim the winner at a valuable sprint race in Japan.

The Phoenix Stakes form was also boosted in the Group Three Round Tower Stakes where Rabatash was an easy three-length winner over the favourite Chivalrous. "That's what he has always promised to do but he has been both physically and mentally immature," said trainer David Wachman. "We will probably throw him in at the deep end somewhere this season."

• George Washington could manage only third as Caradak (Frankie Dettori) ran out a narrow winner from Killybegs of the Totesport Celebration Mile at Goodwood yesterday.