Park Express Stakes second for Panstarr

Panstarr ran well to finish runner-up when stepping up in class to the G3 Park Express Stakes on her seasonal debut at Naas on Sunday, 25 March. 

The four-year-old Pivotal filly, trained by Jim Bolger and ridden again by Kevin Manning, broke smartly from the stalls and disputed the pace early on towards the outside before settling in second.

She took over the advantage with three furlongs to go, came over to the inside rail and ran on before being headed close home by Making Light who won a half-length in 1m 51.10s on ground described as soft to heavy.

Panstarr, who enjoyed three successes last year in a maiden and two handicaps, will be kept to Group races over a mile.

Jimmy Hyland of Godolphin commented: “Jim and Kevin were very pleased with Panstarr’s performance and said that she has improved over the winter.

“She has stepped up from handicaps to a G3 and it was a good decision to keep her in training. Hopefully, she will be able to win a G3 this year.

“She got tired in the last 100 yards and ideally it would probably be best if she dictated the running.”

Another Pivotal four-year-old, Saltonstall (Michael Halford/Ronan Whelan), had his first start since April, 2017, in the Irish Lincolnshire Handicap over a mile and ran pleasing to be second of the 20 runners.