Future provides McNamara with further success

After a memorable week at Listowel, Future Cutlet provided Eric McNamara with further success in the Madrí Excepcional Maiden.

A runner-up when last seen at Galway, the 73-rated bay proved easy-to-back this afternoon and from evens in early shows, he eventually went off a 9/4 chance in the colours of McNamara's daughter Kate.

Towards rear early on under Billy Lee, the Buratino gelding was angled to the outer from the two furlong pole and was soon ridden to challenge.

Gaining a narrow lead a furlong out, he eventually saw off the persistent effort of the Andy Oliver-trained Sweet Thing (22/1), with half a length between them at the line.

Returned the 4/6 favourite (from 7/4 early), Winsome proved very disappointing, finishing fifth under Dylan Browne McMonagle.

"In Galway he jumped fine and then after a furlong he locked on with me a bit down to the bend down the hill," Lee commented.

"I was going to try and sit second or third today and he was a fraction slow away, so I had to just take my medicine a small bit and ride a waiting race. I was able to follow Dylan (Browne McMonagle) throughout the race, he took me into it well.

"I thought he won well within himself, I just had to make him work the last furlong just to get him there.

"He feels like he would get a mile and there is definitely more to come. He's probably a horse that will get further in time as well."

Conor McNamara, son of the winning trainer, added: "We'll see what the story with him is.

"He might be out in a few weeks if we don't get him sold. He belongs to my sister so he was kind of bought to sell. We won't be overly anxious - we'll try and sell him if we can, but if not and we have to run him, it is not the end of the world."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham