Ablah continued a fine start to November for Phoenix Thoroughbreds by getting off the mark at Dundalk on Wednesday, November 4.
Just two runners into the 11th month and the Dubai based owners have witnessed a nose defeat for Ruddock in Australia before the victory of the Air Force Blue filly in Ireland. Moreover, the victory of the filly in the Nursery Handicap means the last two runners trainer Ado McGuinness has saddled for Phoenix have been winners. Pure Nature having scored well also at all-weather track at the end of October.
Ablah had been showing good signs of improvement in recent starts. Beaten into second on the unsuitable ground at Navan three starts back, she followed that effort with an unlucky fourth at Dundalk on her penultimate run. That day she was bumped wide at the start before flying home late in the day. Both runs suggested her winning turn wasn’t too far away and she duly obliged under jockey Gavin Ryan.
Well-drawn on the inside the Phoenix owned runner broke on terms on the inside and sat just a few lengths off the leaders throughout. Still travelling well within herself at the turn for home Ryan moved his mount into daylight up the rai and she stayed on strongly to win with plenty to spare.
“It was her first run on the surface last time with Adam Farragher on board and it was a really good run,” said Ryan.
“She finished 4th and before that she was second at Navan in slow ground at Navan. We knew she’d handle the surface today, she has plenty of ability and had the visors on today; she just needs that bit of extra help. I think she’s been knocking on the door for her last two runs so it was good for her to get in front.
“She showed a nice turn of foot once we got going and she’s definately going in the right direction.”