Cullentry Royal impresses

Cullentry Royal made an impression on debut for Gordon Elliott and Nina Carberry in the two miles two furlongs bumper at Sligo.

The four-year-old son of Royal Applause was tanking along behind the leaders and when Carberry asked him to go on he stretched away from over a furlong out. Derrylea Girl was the only rival to go in pursuit of the winner, but she was two lengths in arrears at the line.

Sizing Tennessee who was the forecast odds-on favourite for Willie Mullins was a non-runner as he was lame. This led to a shake-up in the betting market, but Cullentry Royal went off 8/13 favourite.

Gordon Elliott said: “He’s a nice horse, but still a big baby. Nina said he was a bit green and idle in front. The horse is for sale.”

He currently runs in the colours of Elliott’s fiancée Annie Bowles.

Derrylea Girl was second at 10/1 while Roman Numeral stayed on for third at 25/1.

Michael Graham