Barnacle stays on strongly to score

Barnacle Bill took a bit of time to hit top gear in the median auction maiden at Tipperary but was a cosy winner in the end.

Shane Foley settled mid-division on the well-backed 9/10 shot but was rowing along to reach third turning for home.

The Jesssica Harrington-trained colt found his feet down the straight, however, and hit the lead going to the furlong marker.

He was well on top in the closing stages as Foley eased down close home for a length-and-a-quarter victory over Harasava

The winner (as big as 11/8 this morning) had been third behind Bondi Beach in a decent looking maiden on his debut at Leopardstown last month.

"That was grand and I'm delighted. He was a bit green and Shane said they went very hard for the first three furlongs and then slowed it down, then he was only going through the motions out in front," said Harrington.

"Shane said he appreciated the better ground in the straight and was enjoying it better than down the back. 

"He's a big three year old and will make a better four year old and should stay 1m5f/6f. We'll see what handicap mark he gets now."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)