The Lute Player (near side) © Photo Healy Racing
The maiden for horses rated no higher than 75 went to The Lute Player who was an easy-to-back 12/1 chance.
Sporting blinkers for the first time, the Caravaggio gelding was driven along in fourth 2f out but began to stay on well for Seamie Heffernan racing to the final furlong. He came through late on to collar the always-prominent Only For You. Half a length was the verdict with Prophets Voice another two and a half lengths back in third.
Chris Armstrong, representing winning trainer Aidan O'Brien, said: “It's nice to get a win for him and the step up in trip helped him.
“He had a good run first time back this year in Navan and last time in Cork just got bogged down in the ground.
“Stepping up in trip he just rode him a little bit quieter and the blinkers just helped his concentration.
“We'll look for a nice handicap somewhere for him next.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
