Masen justifies strong market support

Masen justified strong market support, as he just held on from outsider Charterhouse in the Buy Online At Irish Yearling Sales Irish EBF Maiden.

In a field of newcomers, the Ger Lyons trained victor was sent off the 4/5 favourite, but was available at 2/1 in early shows.

Settled behind the leaders in third, the son of Kingman travelled strongly to challenge from the two furlong pole and soon edged to the front.

He was ridden by Colin Keane inside the final 150 yards and just held off the late surge of 66/1 chance Charterhouse by a head.

Robbie Colgan was aboard the runner-up for John Murphy, while Toushizou (7/1) also finished out his race strongly, another length back in third.

Lyons said afterwards: "He was very green and very raw but went through the gears the way we thought he would. He idled in front but that's what he does at home.

"It will be about keeping him relaxed now and hoping he steps forward from that first experience. You would expect him to as we have left a lot of work in him.

"He's a horse we like and the Tyros Stakes would be an obvious next start for him but he has to keep progressing and mentally has to keep coming with us as well.

"I think he'll learn plenty for the experience."

The Khalid Abdullah owned Masen is out of a daughter of Intercontinental and he holds an entry in the National Stakes at the Curragh in September.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee