Tarnawa bounces back from Epsom to win Give Thanks Stakes at Cork

On her first start since finishing down the field in the Investec Oaks, Tarnawa gave trainer Dermot Weld a record sixth triumph in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes.

The daughter of Shamardal bounced back to form after a disappointing run at Epsom as she dismissed five rivals, four of which were trained by Aidan O’Brien, who also went into this year’s renewal with five wins on the board.

One of O’Brien’s string, Invitation, set the pace with stablemate Credenza and the John Oxx-trained Moteo close up.

The six runners were spread out in the early stages, but closed up in the straight with Tarnawa (7-2) going best under Chris Hayes.

Tarnawa soon put the race to bed and sprinted two and a half lengths clear of Simply Beautiful (5-2 favourite), who led home the O’Brien contingent.

“I was just reading about myself and Aidan and we have won the last 11 renewals. It’s 6-5 to me – it’s like the hurling!” said Weld.

“They are good fillies, it’s as simple as that – it might not have been a big field, but they are very good fillies. She is very consistent and has now won a second Group race and I think she is getting better.

“She had a busy spring, is tough and had a nice break since the Oaks. I was disappointed at Epsom, the ground might have been a little bit quick for her, but she did not come down the hill at Epsom.

“Epsom is like Galway in that horses have to come down the hill, and some either do or don’t. Horses either do or don’t handle the track and that’s why I thought Cork would be ideal as a lovely, flat track which I rate very highly.

“I don’t have a definite plan, I want to see how she comes out of today and we’ll go from there.”

Tarnawa's price for the QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot in October was trimmed as a result.

Flight Risk showed that he still retains plenty of ability at the age of eight when giving a sound beating to his younger rivals in the Listed Matchbook Straight Seven Platinum Stakes.

The Jim Bolger-trained gelding had no problem defying the steadier of 10st to win for the third time this term.

Kevin Manning bided his time on the Teofilo gelding as Rhydwyn and Drombeg Dream took the field along, before he delivered the 13-8 favourite to hit the front just inside the final furlong.

Flight Risk stretched out well to score by two and a half lengths from Black Magic Woman, with Chocolate Music three-quarters of a length away in third place.

Bolger’s travelling head man, Ger Flynn, said: “He is a proper, proper tough horse. I don’t think going right-handed over seven (furlongs) at the Curragh suited him the last day, behind Romanised, and the dead-straight seven suited today.

“Kevin got him so switched off and on the straight track he got him out and it was all over in a matter of strides. His form was in the book and the boss has him sweet and Kevin has done a great job with him.

“Maybe he could run again at Champions Weekend at Leopardstown, where he loves.

“The lads in the yard have been crying out trying to get Jim to go for the likes of the Prix de la Foret and now he probably deserves to as he has never been as sweet.”