Snowcapped

Snowcapped did really well to win the seven-furlong three-year-old fillies’ handicap at The Curragh on Monday. Slowly away and last of the nine runners early on, she was still no better than sixth after they had gone a furlong, with a gap of a couple of lengths between the first group of five and the second group of four. She came under a ride from Shane Foley with a half a mile to go, but she made good progress towards the near side on the run to the two-furlong marker. By then, Lovejoy had skipped clear on the far side, but Snowcapped was strong in the finish. She hit the front with 150 yards to run, and she drew away close home to win by over three lengths in the end.

It was a really likeable performance by Jessica Harrington’s filly, coming from well back in the field in a race in which the prominent racers did well. Three of the four fillies who made up the leading group through the early stages of the race finished second, third and fourth behind the winner. Also, Snowcapped was dropping down to seven furlongs, having won over a mile on her seasonal debut, and she raced here as if she would appreciate a step back up in trip. Out of a half-sister to Oaks and Irish Oaks and Irish Champion Stakes winner Snow Fairy, it was no surprise to hear her trainer say afterwards that she would step back up in trip now, to a mile or perhaps to 10 furlongs. This was just her third run, so there could be much more to come from her now, especially over further, and especially on easy ground.
The Curragh, 1^st May 2023