Icing on the cake for Bolger filly

Godolphin's Irish hopes at Royal Ascot are headed by beautifully-bred filly Bean Feasa in Wednesday's Listed Sandringham Handicap.

This Dubawi half-sister to Darley stallion Teofilo is already in the priceless category. She earned black type when landing the G3 Derrinstown Stud 1,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown and has since been a steady improver.

She subsequently finished 5th in the G1 Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh but was tightened up on the rail in the middle stages of the race and dropped back sharply.

Trainer Jim Bolger vented his anger after the Classic. "I'm not saying she would have won, but she was entitled to her chance, and she didn't get it," he said.

Asked if he had taken the matter further at official level, the trainer said: "I've moved on."

As for the filly herself, Bolger is pleased with her progress. "I'm very happy with her. She could have run in the G1 Coronation Stakes, but she has a better chance in the Sandringham.

"This could be the icing on the cake for her, as she's already a Group winner. She's a gorgeous big filly," he added.

Another Godolphin-owner Irish contender is the Michael Halford-trained Moritzburg, who lines up in Thursday's Britannia Handicap, most probably with Shane Foley in the saddle.

"He's in grand form," Halford said. "He lost his way a bit, but I think he's coming back to where he was as a two-year-old. His maiden win at Listowel (by 7 lengths) was very good last time," the trainer said.

"He'll love the ground, and he's a seasoned racehorse, ready for something such as the Britannia," he added.