Celestial Horizon comes home a comfortable winner under Dylan Browne McMonagle© Photo Healy Racing
Celestial Horizon completed a treble for Joseph O'Brien, as he ran out a comfortable winner of the Galway Apprentice Handicap.
Upped ten pounds for an easy win at Navan last month, the son of Fastnet Rock was expected to follow-up this evening and was sent off the 10/3 favourite.
Settled behind the leaders by Dylan Browne McMonagle, the three-year-old improved into a share of the lead from the three-furlong pole.
He was ridden and hit the front a furlong and a half out and was eased down in the closing stages, coming home a length-and-a-quarter to the good. Out On Friday who won at this meeting twelve months ago, ran a fine race to finish second at 33/1 under Wesley Joyce for Philip Byrne.
The well-backed La Hacienda (8s early, returned 9/2) was another two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third, while Ivy Avenue (7/1) completed the places in fourth.
Brendan Powell, assistant trainer to O'Brien, said: "He was impressive again, his ears were pricked and he has gone and improved. He will go up another 10lbs but keeps improving. He had a lovely position all the way.
"He is a big strong horse with a future, he stays very well and that (1m 4f) would be the minimum for him.
"If he got up to a mark, there could be a nice race in him over a trip."
O'Brien was earlier successful with Swan Bay and Tranquil Lady
STEWARDS REPORT
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Final Endeavour trained by H.Rogers, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be clinically abnormal post race.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
