Star gains first win on grass

Temasek Star gained his sixth career victory, and first on turf, when claiming the concluding SOREC Morocco Handicap at Leopardstown this evening.

The six-year-old was a four-timer winner at Dundalk for Michael Halford before joining Anthony McCann last year and won for his new connections over in Wolverhampton this April.

He opened his account on grass tonight, however, when coming with a strong run to lead a furlong-and-a-half from home under Kevin Manning.

The 7/1 shot was strongly pressed by Emily Square in the closing stages but stuck on gamely to post a head success in the one-mile seven-furlong contest.

“It’s great to get him over the line for Rita (Shah, owner), and it’s great that she is here,” said McCann

“He bumped into one too good on his last run in Dundalk, and I thought it was going to be the same again this evening but Kevin was very strong in the finish. We got the rail which helped him along as well.

“He was a cheap purchase and has never been out of the first five for me and won twice out of 11 runs.

“He might have a little break and aim him back at Dundalk. We’ll see how he comes out of it.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)