Sampers surprises as expensive breezer bombs

Sampers Seven burst a few bubbles when causing a 25/1 upset to win the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Dundalk today, scoring for trainer Michael Halford and jockey Ronan Whelan.

The race featured the debut of E575,000 Arqana Breeze-up purchase Bombshell for trainer Joseph O'Brien and owner Peter Leidel, but the daughter of No Nay Never gave herself no chance with a slow start before finishing a well held tenth.

At the business end, both Sampers Seven and Big Gossey fought for the lead for much of the home straight and in the end Sampers Seven, a daughter of Anjaal, ended a short head win over Big Gissey, returned the heavily supported 13/8 favoruite (from 5/2 on track).

Halford later said “she's always shown a lot of pace. First time out she just did too much. Last time she got in behind and got dragged backed early in the race.

“Ronan came in last time and said he would have loved to be handier. She had a nice draw today and she's been learning with each run.

“She's very straight-forward and she'll strengthen more as well. It's nice to have got a bracket for her as a two-year-old and we'll see from there. I'd be thinking about putting her away now.

“Ronan was very good on her and she responded for him, she was game.”

Quotes from Gary Carson