Young gun Markhan going places

The only three-year-old in the line-up Markhan struck a blow for the younger brigade when winning the Naas Racecourse On Facebook Handicap under Colm O'Donoghue.

David Marnane has never hidden his liking for the US-bred son of Birdstone, and it was easy to see why after he fought off the eight-year-old Stronger Than Me by a neck in this mile event.

The front two left Hes Our Music four and a half lengths back in third.

"He's a grand horse and very progressive. Everything went wrong the last day and he was too free on the outside," reflected Marnane.

The Bansha House handler added: "He's learning his game, and there is a handicap at the York Ebor meeting that he could go for.

"We'll see how he comes out of this first, and he's definitely a horse for the future."

(AM & EM)