Royal Navy Ship in command at the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
With 22 unraced juveniles lining up for the seven furlong maiden in the Curragh the market proved invaluable for punters as heavily-backed Royal Navy Ship led home a one-two for Aidan O’Brien.
The War Front colt was the only horse for significant money this morning as his odds contracted to 15/2 from 16s. His SP was 6/1.
Seamie Heffernan had him settled close to the pace on the inside rail and he showed a good turn of foot inside the final furlong to grab the race by the scruff of the neck and win by a length and a half. Jacobean with Joseph O’Brien in the saddle, kept on well for second. He was returned the 10/3 favourite, but drifted from the 7/4 he was chalked up at when the market opened in the morning.
Aidan O’Brien said: “I’m delighted with that fella. He was well drawn [in one] while Joseph’s horse was badly drawn [in 12]. It comes to a time of the year when that have to start, and there wasn’t much between three of ours coming here.”
David Wachman’s Nimble Foot at 25/1 occupied third. She was beaten two and a half lengths by the winner.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
