King Cuan overcomes adversity to land Naas spoils
On a day of mixed fortune for well-touted Ballydoyle newcomers, the Paddy Twomey-trained King Cuan scooped the €100,000 Goffs Sportsman’s Challenge for the local, 15-member Red Lily Syndicate in Naas.
Sent off 4-7 favourite on the back of a maiden success in Cork last week, the Tasleet colt, ridden by Billy Lee, was challenging on the inner when hampered by runner-up Jakajaro approaching the furlong-pole.
Switched to the outer, he responded to three smacks from Lee, quickened in good style, and won by a length, with British raider James’s Delight back in third.
“He’s a grand horse,” stated Twomey. “Things didn’t go smoothly for him, but he was able to overcome it with his ability. He picked up well and is a colt with a lot of ability. I’d say he’s finished for the season after this — we’ll see what the lads think.”
Twomey added: “It’s great to get the horse to win here as the syndicate, headed by Brian O’Riordan, is Naas-based. He was money-on, with all this crowd thinking he was a certainty, so there was plenty of pressure. But he got a great reception. It’s a case of mission accomplished.”
Later, connections of runner-up Jakajaro, David Marnane, Luke McAteer, and MRC International, enjoyed better luck when Basilah Bear landed the GAIN The Advantage Series Nursery.
Aidan O’Brien won the six-furlong colts’ maiden with debutant Military (2-7 favourite), a first winner for Ballydoyle for Dylan Browne McMonagle.
The Siyouni colt picked up to win readily by two and three-quarter lengths from Laugier Night.
“He’s been working like a lovely colt," O'Brien said. “The trip was plenty short form him — he’ll be a miler next year. Dylan said he was very green and should improve plenty. He has some Group 1 entries and could go for the ‘Middle Park’ or ‘Legardere’ (Longchamp).”
Later, O’Brien’s highly-regarded Gallantly could finish only seventh in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, a race won by the Blue Point filly Bluedrum, ridden for Jessica Harrington by Shane Foley.
“She came to us at the end of July, a big, backward filly, but we have always liked her,” said Kate Harrington. “Shane said she wasn’t in love with the ground, so we’ll plan accordingly.”
Fourth to subsequent listed winner Kitty Rose on her last start, Johnny Murtagh’s Churchill filly Prime Art (Ben Coen) came good in the six-furlong fillies maiden, outpointing Emerald Banner and favourite Sweetest.
“I fancied her here the last day, but the seven furlongs stretched her,” said Murtagh. “She’s progressing all the time and Ben feels we should stick to six furlongs for now. We’ll try to find a stakes race for her.”
Third in the valuable Ballyhane Stakes last time, 4-9 favourite Bright Stripes delivered for last year’s winning connections, trainer Andy Oliver and owner Paul Hardy, in the €25,000 Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden, defeating longshots Aratayvo and Gesture.
Oliver said: “I hate odds-on chances — you’re a sitting duck for everyone, but he did it well and was only doing enough in front. We’ve always liked him.”
