Madhmoon (Chris Hayes) stretches clear at Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Madhmoon confirmed the smart impression he made on debut at Leopardstown last month when following up in the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes.
The Dawn Approach colt looked an above average sort when scoring over a mile here last month, and again scored in decisive fashion over the same course and distance.
Chris Hayes asked the well-backed 6/5 favourite to quicken over a furlong and the response was pleasing as the Kevin Prendergast-trained juvenile drew clear inside the final furlong.
The margin of victory was two and a half lengths over Broome at the line, with Masaff a further length and a quarter away in third.
Betfair Sportsbook have cut Madhmoon into 20/1 (from 33/1) for the 2000 Guineas, and also introduced him at 25/1 for the Derby.
Boylesports go 33/1 for the Derby.
Kevin Prendergast said, “I think he’s a good horse and it was either the National Stakes tomorrow or run today. I was a bit worried about the ground here as I thought it was a bit quick but the decision was made and it was the right one.
“Chris gave him a good ride but good horses are easily ridden and he won well. I don’t know what the opposition was like but he couldn’t do more than win well.
“He’s effective on any ground but that might have been a bit quick for him today. He’ll get some ease in the ground in the spring.
“I don’t know whether he will run again this year. I’ll have to talk to the boss (Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum). He’s in the mile race at Doncaster and if he doesn’t run there he won’t run again until the spring.
“I’m happy with him going a mile at the moment and I don’t know what the plans are otherwise. When there is no hole in the bucket don’t try and fix it! Hopefully he lives up to expectations.”
