Dragon Roll upsets odds-on fav' in Gowran opener

The Jessica Harrington trained Dragon Roll caused a minor surprise to win on debut in the opening Foran Equine Irish EBF Auction (Fillies) Maiden at Gowran today, arriving to lead on the line and deny 3/10 favourite Queen Medb by a nose.

Ridden by Wayne Lordan, the 7/1 shot and daughter of Dragon Pule was green in the early stages and didn't enjoy a clear passage in the home straight but in the end quickened well to nose past Queen Medb at the line. Third-placed Tosen Shauna herself looked likely to win inside the final furlong but was herself headed close home, and finished a short-head away in third.

Harrington later commented “she was very green. Wayne said she jumped well but she was galloping up in the air.

“In the straight she was rolling around and all over the place but when she got going on the outside, she flew and hit the line very strongly. He said she'll get further.

“I hoped she'd run well today but I wasn't really expected her to win. I would love to find a winners of one for her because she was so green today. She's not one you'd be wanting to throw in the deep end yet.

“It's the first winner in Ireland for American owners Magic Cap Stables. She was bought here at the breeze-ups and is only in training two months.”

Quotes from Gary Carson