'Very raw' Giga White makes the breakthrough

Giga White made it third time lucky, as he justified favouritism in the opener at Gowran this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

An eye-catching fourth on debut at the Curragh, the Ger Lyons trained Dark Angel colt since finished third to Guaranteed at the Co Kildare venue.

As big as 7/2 this afternoon, the grey victor opened on-course at 5/2, touching 15/8, before going off the 2/1 market leader.

Settled in mid-division on the outer, he was pushed along from early in the straight, and was ridden to challenge over a furlong out.

He had a good battle with market rival South Pacific (9/4) inside the final furlong, with a neck separating them at the line.

Seamie Heffernan was aboard the runner-up for Aidan O'Brien, while newcomer Edessann (10/1) was another two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Fellow debutant Trethias finished an eye-catching fourth having lost a considerable amount of ground at the start.

"He's a very raw horse and very weak behind the saddle. I'd be very surprised if I ran him again this year," said Lyons.

"He's never brought to the track what we're seeing at home, which is pure weakness.

"I'll discuss it with Mark because he was talking about coming over for Champions Weekend. Ideally he was to win here and have a look at a race for him there.

"My gut feeling is to put him away for the year and let him grow up. We know he has plenty of ability and I just think the more time we give him the better he will be.

"He loved the ground. Each run so far has been like he hasn't had a run as he's been very, very raw so I think with the maiden under our belt, once I discuss it with Mark in America, that will be the last we see of him this year.

"There is no such thing as a bad maiden in Ireland. You never know until you look back during his three-year-old career what you are after being beaten by or what you've beat. Those horses of Aidan's can improve from race to race.

"I like this horse but he's not there yet. He needs to round up. He's come on a long way and is even a better horse physically than he was the last day.

"If I can get him there he's by the right sire so we have a chance."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson