Nebulla and Declan McDonogh pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
Hallmark went off the 1/2 favourite for the last at Killarney, the Ladbrokes Race, but it was the outsider of the field Nebulla who came out on top, providing John Oxx and Declan McDonogh with a quick-fire double (won the previous contest with Xebec .
Previously trained in the UK by Noel Quinlan the victorious three-year-old son of Iffraaj disappointed on his debut for Oxx at the Curragh last month.
Sent off a 7/1 chance this evening he was settled in rear. He was pushed along early in the straight and closed when ridden under two furlongs out.
He swept to the front inside the final furlong and kept on well to score by a length. Buyer Beware who raced in third, finished second under Fran Berry for Jessica Harrington at 11/2. Highly Toxic attempted to make all and was taken on by Hallmark before the straight. By the time they got inside the final furlong neither had any more to offer and they were quickly passed by the winner and Buyer Beware who raced well off the pace.
John Oxx said afterwards: "He came from England so we didn't know where we stood with him and he ran over seven furlongs for us the last day but seemed out-paced and never 'warmed-up'.
"I thought today's trip might have been too far for him but there was no other race for him and they went steady which gave him every chance of getting the trip.
"A well run mile and quarter race is probably ideal and he'll go for a handicap next He's still green but is a nice horse."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
