Dante's Pass (right) makes a winning debut under Shane Crosse © Photo Healy Racing
Dante’s Pass (15/2) was a first-time-out winner of the MAC Fuels & General Supplies Maiden.
The Dark Angel gelding was towards the rear early on under Shane Crosse as the 2/1 favourite Kojin set the pace. The winner got into contention in the straight and led inside the final furlong to beat Knight Of Malta by three quarters of a length with the market leader another length away in third.
Brendan Powell, assistant to winning trainer Joseph O'Brien, said: “I thought it was a very good performance. He's a big horse, he must be 16-2 or 16-3.
“Joseph has taken his time with him, he's always liked him. He's a nice relaxed horse, Shane said he fell out of the gates and around this sharp track it took him a while to get into his stride.
“He made a lot of ground up off the bend and came wide as well. Once he got going he galloped to the line.
“I think he's got a big future and I think he could be a decent horse in time.
“He'd stay well and I think a big galloping track would suit him, you'd love to see him at the Curragh or Leopardstown. He has a great mindset to him.”
Crosse added: “It didn’t look likely until we straightened up. He was green away from the gates and we ended up going slow, so I had to use him a lot four out around the turn which wasn’t ideal but I think his ability got him out of trouble.”
The winner is a half-brother to useful hurdler Chief Justice.
Quotes from Gary Carson
