Tennessee Stud too strong for odds on Shackleton at Tipperary

The Joseph O'Brien trained Tennessee Stud made virtually all the running under Declan McDonogh to win the opening Camas Park Stud Irish EBF Maiden at Tipperary.

Third on his racecourse debut on soft ground at Galway last month, the colt had no issues with the quicker conditions presented here.

Well into stride from stall four, the 5/1 chance led Wolf Rayet in the early stages, with 4/9f Shackleton tracking the pace back in third.

The latter was pushed along entering the straight, going second over two furlongs out. However, he could make no further impression inside the final furlong as Tennessee Stud kept on well to win by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

Declan McDonogh, “He showed a bit of pace to get that position out of the gates.

“He had to overcome a lot; the track is riding very tight. I got a nice sit into him down the back and he picked up well down the straight.

“The line we are on is throwing us out at every bend. It’s not ideal but he did very well.

“I thought it rode a nice race and he could definitely be a Stakes horse. Physically he’s a beautiful horse and has great balance.

“He got a bump out of the gates the last day and obviously learned a good bit from the experience.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.