Barnavara books ticket to Paris with Blandford triumph

Jessica Harrington’s Barnavara led from pillar to post to land the Moyglare “Jewels” Blandford Stakes at the Curragh.

A winner at Listed and Group Three level in June, the three-year-old was last seen finishing third behind the reopposing 11-8 favourite Red Letter in the Group Three Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes at this venue a fortnight ago.

But stepping back up to a mile and a quarter, Barnavara (6-1) was soon bowling along in front in the hands of Shane Foley and having had the chasing pack in trouble from halfway up the straight, she kept pouring it on to score by three and a half lengths from One Look, with Red Letter back in third.

Harrington said: “She’s a fantastic filly and is improving all the time. She’s a big filly and with each race she gets better and better.

“I thought Hotazhell would run well yesterday and he did (fourth in Irish Champion Stakes), but she was my best chance because of her form and I thought every bit of rain was going to help her, because she will go on softer ground.

“She’ll go to Paris on Arc weekend for the Prix de l’Opera – she has to go there now. She’s won a Listed race, a Group Three and a Group Two, so a Group One is the natural way to go.”