Montpellier Green has his head in front © Photo Healy Racing
No less than 13 handicap newcomers made the Lavazza Nursey Handicap in the Curragh a thorny puzzle for punters and Montpellier Green was a double-digit winner at 10/1 from his stablemate, Desmond Castle (80/1).
A plethora of horses held chances as the race heated up in the final furlong and Montpellier Green, who had been off the bridle in the final quarter of a mile, worked his way to the head of affairs in the closing stages.
Big-outsider Desmond Castle soon shot into contention but, just as it looked like he would collar Montpellier Green, he wandered and couldn't reel the winner in.
Dylan Browne McMonagle drove Montpellier Green to victory by half a length from Desmond Castle. Shiota (20/1) was a short head further back with Tofino (20/1) completing the placings in this 16-runner handicap, three lengths away.
Joseph O'Brien said: “It was a nice run. It took us a bit of time to get him figured out.
“The bit of juice in the ground helped him today and he won nicely, he was tough.
“He's had the headgear on and off and we tried cheekpieces as well, but we stuck to the blinkers today and he showed a good attitude.
“The second horse ran well, he had run well in Galway as well. He snuck into the race well and came home nicely. Dec (McDonogh) said he was green under pressure and ran around a good bit. He's going the right way.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
