Classic bid for Mary Tudor after Salsabil success

Mary Tudor (Willie McCreery/Billy Lee) quickened smartly to gain her first success in the 10-furlong Listed Salsabil Stakes at Navan, Ireland, on Sunday, 22 April and is now being targeted at the Irish 1,000 Guineas.

The three-year-old Dawn Approach filly, making her seasonal return after three good performances in 2017, was held up in fifth of the 10 runners when racing a bit keenly and dropped back to sixth.

The grey lacked room in the straight but was switched out to the right with less than a furlong and half remaining and showed an excellent turn of foot to go to the front inside the final furlong.

Mary Tudor went clear of her rivals and had two and a half lengths to spare over the runner-up Hazel Bay, stopping the clock at 2m 18.50s on yielding to soft turf.

Trainer Willie McCreery said: “She was a bit gassy early on. Billy is a good rider – he got her settled and into a lovely rhythm.

“He said he had to sit and suffer up the straight, waiting for a gap. The minute he got the gap, she really galloped up the hill and lengthened to the line. He loved the way she did it.

“Mary Tudor will go straight to the Irish Guineas now (G1, 1m, The Curragh, 27 May) – they will go a good gallop there – and then Royal Ascot hopefully. 

“She will be sharp enough for the mile as well – the stiff Curragh mile will suit her down to the ground and she will be powering up the last 100 yards. We will dream.”