Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen made the perfect start to Gold Cup day at Royal Ascot this afternoon by taking the Ribblesdale Stakes with Irresistible Jewel.
Their 12-1 shot, runaway winner of a maiden at Naas early this month, swooped very late in the Group Two contest to lead close home for a three-quarters of a length defeat of Shadow Dancing.
"I was quietly confident she would run very well today," admitted Weld. "She is a big, progressive filly and there is more improvement to come. She could go for the American Oaks, which is a new invitation race at Hollywood Park, or there is also the Irish Oaks and that would give her more time as it is not until mid-July."
Filed by Laura Reynolds
