Chosen springs surprise on debut for Spillane

Goulane Chosen sprang a 16/1 surprise (from 20s on-course) in the Breeders' Cup Starts Tomorrow On At The Races Rated Chase.

As short as 8/1 last night, the son of Well Chosen was making his debut for Seamus Spillane today, having been previously trained by David McGrath.

On his first start since finishing down the field at the Punchestown Festival in April, the Mary O'Donnell owned and bred eight-year-old was settled behind the leaders by Donal McInerney.

He improved to the front on the entrance to the straight, and was ridden from the second last, keeping on well on the run-in to score by a length and three parts. Coeur Joyeux (3/1) kept on to take second under Luke Dempsey for his father Philip, while Tisamystery (11/1) was a short head back in third with JJ Slevin in the saddle for Henry De Bromhead. Laid Back Luke was sent off the 2/1 favourite, and he finished a further ten lengths back in fourth with Robbie Colgan aboard for Sheila Lavery.

Mossy Spillane, son of the winning trainer, said afterwards: "We can't much of the credit for this as he was with David McGrath previously and he had all the hard work done for us.

"He loved it around here and while he runs best when fresh, we thought he might still need the run. We'll space out his races now."

STEWARDS REPORTS

M.J. Bolger, rider of Rebelion Boy trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a noise and pulled up thereafter.

P.D. Kennedy, rider of Theos Well (GB) trained by Michael Winters, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount made a bad mistake and pulled up thereafter.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes