Gleneagles’ Brilliant Best In The Park Express

[Wandering Eyes]

Aidan O'Brien's 2024 Flat Turf campaign got off to a perfect beginning at The Curragh on Monday as the 3-year-old filly Brilliant (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}–Plying, by Hard Spun) flew the flag in the G3 Lodge Park Stud Irish EBF Park Express S. Runner-up in the G3 Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF S. over this mile trip and track and third in the seven-furlong G3 Weld Park S. also here last term, the 7-2 second favourite was steadied towards the rear early by Declan McDonogh and crept into contention once straightened for home. Getting to the front a furlong out, the 1000 Guineas entry had to battle on the testing surface to see off fellow 3-year-old Alpheratz (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) but proved up to the task to prevail by half a length.

“I think she probably had the best form in the race and, on her first run of the year, I'm delighted with her,” O'Brien said. “She'd been working nicely and is a hardy filly. It's a big call for three-year-olds against older horses on that ground at this time of the year. She'll step up and a mile is good for her. That will be her trial and she'll go into one of the Guineas now after that. She might end up going to Newmarket and back here. She doesn't really want that ground, but she went in it.”

Brilliant

Last seen in the Fillies' Mile, the Gleneagles filly puts experience to good use and shows plenty of heart in the Group 3 @LodgeParkStud @IrishEBF_ Park Express Stakes @declanmcdonogh | @curraghrace pic.twitter.com/n1TfWiNPEL

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 18, 2024

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