JOSEPH O’Brien’s Warnie, who made his debut in the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, proved different class to his rivals in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series (C&G) Maiden.
Dylan Browne McMonagle switched the 10/11 favourite to the inner to lead approaching the final furlong and the duo sailed in by three and three-quarter lengths for owner Nathan Bennett.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: “I think he has got a very good future and it is nice for the Australian owners and they called him after Shane Warne.
“He had a good run in the Chesham (ninth) and I should think after this we will go and get some blacktype with him. He is (in the National Stakes) - without a doubt it would be a consideration, I’m sure. When Joseph puts them in those races, it is for a reason.”
Galway under Orders
Gavin Cromwell eyed Galway after Final Orders readily landed the first division of The Prizm Handicap.
The 5/4 favourite grabbed the lead over a quarter of a mile out and kept up the gallop to prevail by two and a half lengths for the C M D Syndicate.
“He had a break there since the jump season. I thought he could be vulnerable just over the mile and a half, but Conor (Maxwell) was good on him today,” Cromwell said.
“He’ll go to Galway for the Plate. It is a little bit of a step up in trip from what he has been running over, but Galway should suit him and he jumps well.”
THE McAuley team celebrated a one-two in the Meath Farm Machinery Claiming Race when Sunday Sovereign led home Bringsty over the extended seven furlongs.
Sunday Sovereign was well-backed from 16/1 to 15/2 on this step up in trip with his stablemate, the 13/8 favourite, also strong in the market.
Billy Lee soon kicked Sunday Sovereign into the lead and the pair were five lengths clear at the half-way stage. Nothing was able to land a blow on them as they came in by four and a half lengths from Bringsty.
Owner/trainer James McAuley was represented by his brother Stephen who said: “We said we would let him off in front and if he stays there, he stays there. If he doesn’t, sure he will do a good pacemaker job.”
A friendly claim was successful on the winner while McAuley also claimed 10th-placed Harbanaker.
Imposing Supreme availed of a drop in class to grab his fifth career success in the Grimme Ireland Handicap.
The 5/1 shot tracked the leaders and was sent on by Gavin Ryan to lead a quarter of a mile from home.
The seven-year-old gelding was tough under the 10st 1lb weight and galloped home by two and a-quarter lengths for owners Leonard Kinsella and Haigney Bloodstock Ltd.
Trainer Tom Gibney said: “He ran well at the Curragh the last day, but he just ended up having to come from a bit far back. It takes him a while to get up and get going.
“Yes, 100% that (Galway) will be the next stop. We’ll see if the handicapper gives him a chance.”
Mythical Phoenix built upon a runner-up berth in a Naas maiden to get off the mark in the Phil & Patsy Kierans Memorial Maiden over five furlongs for owner/trainer John McConnell.
The three-year-old gelding held a good position tracking the leaders and progressed for Donagh O’Connor to hit the front a furlong and a half down. He was kept up to his work to score by a length and a half at 7/2.
McConnell said: “For his third run, it was a good performance. He’s probably only coming to himself now. He’s probably on the market I’d say!”
ZIG Zag Zyggy shelved retirement plans when popping up at 14/1 in the Western Motors CUPRA Handicap over five furlongs.
The eight-year-old gelding caught the eye running on well racing to the final furlong and got up by a head close home under Adam Caffrey for owners Mark Devenny, Des Whyte and Hazel McGuinness.
Trainer Ado McGuinness said: “He (Caffrey) was very good on him and, to be honest, we were going to retire him nearly after today. His form had just completely and utterly gone.
“I just felt with the little bit of rain it just might suit him. I was going to run him in the claimer and said ‘no, I’m going to run him in the sprint’ and it worked out.”
Esquiline delighted Johnny Murtagh with success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.
Ben Coen kept it simple on the Siyouni filly who sat just behind front-running Angelic Appeal and swept by two and a half furlongs from home. From there, the even-money favourite powered in by four and a quarter lengths.
Murtagh said: “Hard to find these fillies’ only mile and a half (races). We decided to come here, a track that might not have played to her strengths. She’s a big, galloping filly, she stays really well.
“Charlie Noell (from Merriebelle Irish Farm Limited) and his daughter are over, they are spending a bit of time in Ireland at the moment.”
Ronan Whelan, on fourth-placed Celebrating Ethel, was handed a seven-day ban for riding improperly in relation to interference at the top bend.
Franno brought up plenty of bets in the second split of the Prizm Handicap as she was backed down to 7/2 favourite.
The mare disputed the lead with Qasbaz entering the final furlong and edged ahead in the final 150 yards to score by half a length with Robert Whearty in the plate for Patrick Joseph Mulligan and Eva Forde.