National Gallery (near side) and Gary Halpin© Photo Healy Racing
National Gallery opened his account at the third time of asking when justifying favouritism in the six-furlong Follow Us On Twitter @DundalkStadium Maiden.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained son of Caravaggio filled the runner-up spot here last time following a six-month break and went one better at odds of 11/10.
Gary Halpin ’s mount got on top in the final 100 yards to beat Ano Syra by three-quarters-of-a-length, with the winner’s front-running stablemate Hypernova a neck further back in third.
O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell said, "He's still very babyish. Last time here he had a little look around but today he followed the other horses nicely.
“Gary said he was doing his best work at the end and he said he will stay seven furlongs and could even stay a mile because he's a very relaxed horse.
“He's a big horse and I still think there is a lot of improvement in him. He's going the right way and it's great for the owners."
(GC & AM)
