Raphael best in Galway opener Archangel Raphael justified 11/10 favouritism in the Donnelly's Of Barna European Breeders Fund Maiden for Aidan and Joseph O'Brien. It was always likely that the pace-setting Bunk Off Early would come back to them but favourite backers would have been worried as O'Brien 'rowed' along out on the dip. The Montjeu colt began to hit top gear wide into the straight but it was only when receiving a crack of the whip inside the final furlong that the Killarney second placer extended away to beat Sarah Joyce by two lengths. Aidan O'Brien said: "At halfway I thought it wasn't going to happen. He is still green but he came home very well and he will get further than a mile. "They might have went very fast. Joseph took his time on him and when he met the hill he might have just got a bit of a fright as he wouldn't have met those undulations at home. "The last day he got to the front and was just out battled. He holds plenty of entries and he is in the Beresford." D.P. McDonogh, rider of Frozen Lake (USA), trained by John M. Oxx, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not handle the track. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Frozen Lake (USA), trained by John M. Oxx, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. (DM & EM)
