Fighting Irish adds new chapter to Dunlop love affair with France

Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (Group 2) 2yo | 6f Turf

Harry and Christina Dunlop are well used to plundering Euros on their trips across the English Channel and Fighting Irish added to their haul with an all-the-way defeat of Nebo.

The five-length winner of a nursery at Yarmouth on his last start, Fighting Irish is a first Group winner for his sire Camelot and the biggest success to date for co-owner Anoj Don.

"It's a first Group winner for Camelot and a first Group winner in Anoj's colours," said Christina Dunlop.

"We have a lot of faith in Camelot and we reinvested in two more last week at the sales so hopefully there is another Group winner in there," added Don, who owns Fighting Irish in partnership with Daniel Macauliffe.

The task was made somewhat easier by the defection of the Ken Condon-trained Romanised during the morning, as well as the late withdrawal of Coeur De Beaute, reducing the field for the €190,000 contest to just three runners.

But that still left the Charlie Hills-trained Nebo and Olivier Peslier to overcome but, as the race developed in earnest, Cristian Demuro always appeared to just be holding his rival.

"He has been working well at home with Night To Behold – who was just touched off in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark – so we knew there was quality there," said Dunlop.

"He may even be better on softer ground than this and hopefully we could be back in three weeks time for the Criterium International if Harry is happy with the horse."

Hills had selected what looked an easier task on paper than Saturday's Dewhurst for Nebo but was not looking for excuses afterwards.

"He was a short-priced favourite so it's disappointing but the winner looks a nice horse and Nebo has run his race," said Hills.

"It's been a long year and we'll see how he is when he gets home. It'll be six or seven furlongs for him next year and we might look at the Greenham."

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