Starford shines to take Alleged Stakes

Starford finished with a flourish to lead home a one-two for Joseph O’Brien in the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Alleged Stakes at the Curragh.

A quality field of 12 runners went to post for the Group Three feature, with British raider Royal Rhyme the 100-30 favourite to round off a good weekend for trainer Karl Burke after saddling Alparslan and Convergent to win at this level at Newbury on Saturday.

Royal Rhyme appeared to be travelling best of all when moving to the lead passing the two-furlong marker, but having been off the track since the Tattersalls Gold Cup 11 months ago, a lack of a recent run told late on and he weakened out of contention.

Race fitness was never going to be an issue for 9-1 shot Starford, who blew away any cobwebs with a fifth place finish in handicap company here just a fortnight ago, and he showed the benefit of that run with a strong-finishing effort under Scott McCullagh, getting up to beat stablemate Beset by three-quarters of a length.

Red Letter beat Green Impact to third place, with the previously unbeaten but long-absent Twain doing his best work at the finish in fifth.

Of the winner, O’Brien said: “He’s a good horse, he was very progressive last year and he had a nice run from a bad draw in the handicap here on his first run of the season.

“He had a bad draw again today but we let him take his chance. Scott got a fantastic spot from the draw and got the rail run around.

“The bottom line is that he’s a smart horse. He handles soft ground well and had the benefit of a run, which is always a help at this time of year.”

The Owning Hill handler was also pleased with the performance of runner-up Beset, adding: “She ran great and it’s a Group Three placing for a filly with a big pedigree.

“She ran right up to form, so I’m very happy with her.”