RACING/TIPPERARY:BRITISH RAIDER Inxile claimed back-to-back runnings of the Listed Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary last night.
Just as he did 12 months ago, the Dandy Nicholls-trained gelding set out to make all under Adrian Nicholls, who employed the front-running tactics to perfection. Sent off at 5 to 1, the six-year-old – again sporting cheekpieces – had enough in reserve to hold David Marnane’s Nocturnal Affair by a length and a half.
It was a fine run by the second, who was having his first start since being beaten less than three lengths behind Ortensia in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night in March.
Andy Oliver’s 33 to 1 outsider First Cornerstone landed the Listed feature, the Coolmore Canford Cliffs Stakes at Tipperary under a fine ride from Chris Hayes. The victory didn’t come as a shock to Oliver.
“He’s always been a horse that showed a bit at home. On his pedigree he was always due to start off at seven furlongs so we have not rushed him,” he said.
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