Soul Love bags Listed honours for Burke at Naas

The Karl Burke-trained Soul Love made it a British Listed success in the Yeomanstown Stud Irish EBF Stakes at Naas.

Soon at the head of affairs in the main group under Pierre-Louis Jamin, the Summer Stakes third powered to the line and while the margin was only half a length over Dancing Saxon, there was plenty of authority in the victory.

Burke has a fine record with the horses he sends to Ireland from his North Yorkshire base and said afterwards: “Here and Leopardstown have been very lucky for me. We’ve had some nice winners here.

“She’s such a tough filly, very game and very honest to do that with a penalty. We’ll try to pick up some Group Three black type somewhere hopefully. I’m very happy with that.

“She’s backed up a very good run the last day. It was only two weeks ago York. She’s pretty professional. I’m not sure where we’ll go next, but we’ll try to find a Group Three somewhere.”

Big Negotiator showed her toughness in front to land Listed honours in the Arqana Irish EBF Marwell Stakes.

Always in the front rank under Wayne Lordan, the Paddy Twomey-trained filly was a length and a quarter to the good at the line over Harry Eustace’s Shimmering Sun, who herself finished well to give the Queen Mark Stakes form another boost.

Sent off at 11-1, the winner – who won a novice event at York in June – was the bigger priced of two contenders for the Twomey yard, with Billy Lee electing to partner Concorde Landed, who had to settle for fourth as the 6-5 favourite.

Twomey said: “It was her sixth run so she is good and hardy. She was unlucky here the last day against the colts (Tipperary Stakes won by Carry The Flag). She was pushed across the track. She went off 15-8 the other day and I couldn’t believe it (price) today. I thought it was nuts. She is a good tough filly and I’m very happy for her.

“The other lady (Concorde Landed) looked a bit fresh. Billy said she was a bit fresh going to the start and I just thought she took a bad step there maybe a furlong down if you watch it back. She’ll come on from it. Hard to beat the six runs.”

Lordan had earlier struck with Man’s Best Friend, who stepped forward from his promising debut run to get off the mark in the Matchbook Exchange Irish EBF Maiden, ending a temporary blip in form for Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle yard.

A son of No Nay Never, the 2-1 winner’s first start was when fourth in a Curragh maiden in which stablemates Abraham Lincoln and Haffner filled the first two places.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He had a lovely run the first day and the race is working out nicely. In fairness, he is a very professional colt. Wayne was delighted with him there. He’s got a super attitude; powerful, big strong horse. Wayne said he’s comfortable at six (furlongs) but will have no problem going seven.

“We’ll see what Aidan wants to do with him. He’s well entered up over six and seven over the coming weeks. He’s one to look forward to. He’ll have no problem stepping up into Group company next.”