Legitimus makes all in Gowran opener

The Jim Bolger trained Legitimus made all to take the opener at Gowran, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Ninth of sixteen on her debut over the course last month, the daughter of Lawman was sent off an 8/1 chance in the colours of owner Jackie Bolger.

Sent straight to the front by Kevin Manning the successful bay filly was pushed along with two furlongs to race, and she kept on well for pressure from over a furlong out, keeping on well to score comfortably by three and three parts of a length. Pennsylvania (8's to 7's) finished second under Donnacha O'Brien for his father Aidan, while the well-backed Ice Cold In Alex (16's this morning and from 12's to 7's on-course) was a further three lengths back in third under Billy Lee for Ken Condon. Moritzburg who was as big as 10/3 last night, was sent off the 9/10 favourite. The Mick Halford trained colt was slow away from the stalls, and never really looked like winning, eventually finishing fifth under Conor Hoban.

Jim Bolger said afterwards: "She must have got stage fright the last day as I expected her to run well. I've always liked her although I seem to be in a minority around our place.

"The dam was an expensive foal at Keeneland, and is from the same family as Dartmouth. She could be a nice filly next year."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Moritzburg (GB), trained by M.Halford, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

The Stewards enquired into the slow start of Moritzburg (GB) where he subsequently lost a lot of ground in the early stages. Derek Cullen, Turf Club Starter, stated that the horses loaded into stalls but K.J. Manning, rider of Legitimus, shouted that he was having difficulty with his mount.

Consequently he waited until that rider was satisfied with his mount and released the starting mechanism when all riders were ready. He was adamant that K.J. Manning was the only rider who expressed any difficulty.

Matt White, Stalls Handlers Team Leader concurred with Derek Cullen's evidence and added that the handler who assisted in holding Moritzburg (GB) when it became fractious in the stalls did not hear any shout from C.P. Hoban expressing any problem and furthermore that K.J. Manning was the only rider to call the starters attention.

C.P. Hoban, rider, stated that he had clearly shouted to the starter that he was not ready to start but the gates opened after K.J. Manning had given a positive call. Michael Halford, trainer of Moritzburg (GB) relayed the explanation that C.P. Hoban had given to him post race.

Having considered all the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that a fair start had been effected and took no further action.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee