€1.7m filly DIAMOND NECKLACE looks set for the top

Описание: The 12th edition of the Irish Champions Festival gets under way in suitably high-class style as the unbeaten Diamond Necklace, a beautifully-bred filly by St Mark's Basilica, justifies short odds in the Ballylinch Stud Irish EBF Ingabelle Stakes for jockey Christophe Soumillon, trainer Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore Partners.

Jack Channon’s Sukanya had headed Diamond Necklace’s stablemate Venosa entering the final furlong, but the 1-2 favourite was beginning to hit top gear under the Belgian rider.

It was Soumillon’s first victory since filling the role of Ballydoyle super sub for the injured Ryan Moore as Diamond Necklace cruised to a cosy two-and-a-quarter-length success, with Coral making the winner 14-1 for both the 1000 Guineas and Oaks next year.

“That was lovely, Christophe gave her a lovely ride,” said O’Brien.

“She’s a lovely filly and she’s going to stay further. We’ll have a look at the Fillies’ Mile (at Newmarket) or the Prix Marcel Boussac (at ParisLongchamp) with her.

“There was a good pace on. We knew at the Curragh that she was a filly that was going to want every yard of seven furlongs.

“Christophe was very patient on her, it was an even gallop and I don’t think he even touched her.

“The Curragh was her first time away from home and she still won, usually if they do that they can often be a bit different.

“She’s a filly that cost a lot of money, with a great pedigree, and her work was always very right.

“She’s by St Mark’s Basilica and he didn’t win his Group race until the Dewhurst, he went through the whole year.”

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