Stage Affair makes pleasing start

TWO years ago Definite Article won Galway's Long Walk Maiden on his debut and the following season failed by a short head to land the Irish Derby. Who knows, but stable companion Stage Affair, the highly impressive winner of last evening's renewal on his initial outing, might go one better in next year's Irish Derby.

Tracking Missigoni on the up-hill run, the good looking Stage Affair led on straightening for home and won, eased down, by eight lengths.

Like Dermot Weld's Irish Derby winner Zagreb, the well-named Stage Affair is by Theatrical, out of Wooing, a half-sister to Committed, who also won at Galway on her debut and went on to capture several Group races including the Prix de l'Abbaye twice. The trainer has no doubts that Stage Affair will stay a mile and a half next year as the dam is out of Stage Door Johnny, who stayed well.

"I bought him for 50,000 dollars at the Keeneland Falls Sales. He is all talent but still very weak. Because of this I may put him away until next year. However, if the good weather stays and he does not lose much weight, I might yet run him in the Beresford Stakes," said Weld. It is to be hoped that this fine two-year-old, who is owned in partnership by Michael Smurfit and Mike Watt, will be a force in next year's classics.

The absence of blinkers and different riding tactics made all the difference to Predappio, who reversed Royal Whip Stakes placings with I'm Supposin in a good finish to the listed Ardilaun House Hotel Oyster Stakes.

The duo were separated by a head when finishing second and third behind the subsequent Group One Baden-Baden winner, Pilsudski, at the Curragh, and I'm Supposin, now 2lb better off, was marginally preferred in yesterday's betting.

However, unlike the Curragh where he was ridden from two furlongs down, Predappio was held for a late run by John Murtagh. Joining I'm Supposin over a 100 yards out, he got his head in front 50 yards later to win snugly enough by half a length.

Trainer John Oxx will run Sheikh Mohammed's three-year-old in either the Irish St Leger or the Blandford Stakes. He may then go to Dubai, but he should make into a nice four-year-old. He stays a mile and a half well," said Oxx, who won this race last year with the same owner's Russian Snows and three years ago with the Aga Khan's Ebaziya.

The stable's Timarida is in very good form for her bid in Saturday's Champion Stakes.

I'm hoping she will run a good race," said her trainer.

I'm Supposin's trainer Kevin Prendergast had better luck when Rasin defied top weight to win the Donnellys of Barna Nursery from Celtic Slip.

Leading on rising to the third last flight, Near Gale soon drew right away from her rivals to win the C.T. Electric Handicap Hurdle, eased down by Tom Treacy. Fourth at Tralee on her previous outing, the Paddy Mullins-trained six-year-old was much happier on this better ground.

Cuban Question and Richard Dunwoody cleared the second last fence in the Uttoxeter and Newcastle Racecourses Novice Chase just ahead of Stroll Home and Kentucky Baby. However, both rivals fell independently, leaving the Dessie Hughes-trained Cuban Question to a bloodless victory.