DRAGON PULSE got a quote of 25-1 from Bet365 for next year’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas after he dented the reputations of a few big hopes to give Jessica Harrington a second successive win in the Futurity Stakes
The Kyllachy colt wasstepping up to 7f for the first time when taking on leading fancies for next year’s Derby Astrology and David Livingston but he had no problem with the extra furlong as he finished best of all to see off Parish Hall with Astrology back in third.
The race has been won by some top notch performers in recent seasons, Hawk Wing, Oratorio and Cape Blanco for Aidan O’Brien as well as Teofilo and New Approach for Jim Bolger and Harrington is looking at taking the same route with her winner as she did with last year’s winner Pathfork and head back here for the National Stakes next month.
“His first two runs came over six furlongs and the further he went the better he was going,” she said of the 7-1 winner who was scoring under Pat Smullen.
“I would have been very disappointed if he didnot finish in the frame as he is a smart horse and I knew he would like the step up to seven furlongs.
“He picked up very impressively and he might get supplemented for the National Stakes now although it depends on the ground.”
FAME AND GLORY suffered defeat on his first start since his Ascot Gold Cup success with a laboured second behind Fictional Account having been sent off the 1-3 favourite
After travelling comfortably in the hands of jockey Seamie Heffernan to the top of the home straight, Fame And Glory looked set to stamp his class on the race.
However, just as he went to catch leaderFictional Account, a horse he had already beaten twice this season, his run flattened out.
His stamina kicked in towards the line but he never looked like clawing back the leader, eventually going down by a never-nearer neck.
Heffernan said: “Disappointing is the only way to describe it. I
was relaxed enough. I thought he had everything covered but he didn’t.”
William Hill eased Fame And Glory to 33-1 (from 20) for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe after his defeat.