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Review CURRAGH 27th Jun

Shimah confirmed the promise of her debut victory with an emphatic success in the feature Saoire Stakes on day one of the Irish Derby meeting.

Declan McDonogh sat just off the lead set by Ceist Eile in the six-furlong Listed contest and sent the 6-4 favourite about her business with two furlongs to travel.

The Kevin Prendergast-trained juvenile had Chintz for company for a few strides and didn't give her rival much room as she edged left, but there was only going to be one winner and she strode away to score by three lengths, with the rest well behind.

There was a dramatic start to the meeting when Rip Van Winkle was awarded the opening race, the Kildare Village EBF (C&G) Maiden, after passing the post in second spot.

Aidan O'Brien's 3-1 shot was always travelling sweetly under Johnny Murtagh and came to challenge a furlong out, where he was badly squeezed between his stablemate Drumbeat and Tomas An Tsioda.

The latter (11-2) made the best of his way home under Kevin Manning and just held the fast-finishing Rip Van Winkle, but the stewards decided Jim Bolger's colt had caused the problem and reversed the placings.

Bolger had better fortune when his newcomer Marina Of Venice took the N Conlan & Sons EBF Fillies Maiden.

Shemovedthuthefair led until around the furlong marker, but they were stacking up behind her and it was Marina Of Venice who proved the strongest of the challengers.

Manning pushed out the 3-1 favourite to score readily by two lengths from Miss Puss.

Supporters of 6-1 favourite Jumbo Rio were counting their winnings some way out in the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Derby.

Padraig Beggy was never far off the pace set by Tangible in the 12-furlong contest and went on as they swung into the straight.

Timothy Doyle's three-year-old quickened clear and had no trouble in beating Malande by five lengths.

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