Sheehy brothers fight it out with Mikey prevailing on Nemonte Nemonte came from off the pace to land the opener on Guineas weekend at the Curragh, the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden. Trained by Joseph O'Brien and owned by his mother Annemarie, the Ten Sovereigns colt was sent off a 20/1 chance on debut. Out of dual winner Jumellea, who was placed in Listed company, he raced towards rear in the early stages under Mikey Sheehy. In mid-division on the nearside from halfway, he was ridden over a furlong from home and stayed strongly in the closing stages, getting up in the final strides to prevail by a neck. Sheehy's brother Danny was aboard the runner-up, with this Diego Dias filly returned at 18/1, having been as big as 125/1 in early shows. Another debutant finished third, with Loterie (28/1) occupying that position, a length-and-a-quarter back under Chris Hayes for Eddie and Patrick Harty. Available at 8/1 in early shows, King Cuan was the gamble of the race, eventually going off the 6/4 favourite. Trained by Paddy Twomey, the Tasleet colt had no luck in running and finished a never nearer fourth under Billy Lee. "It was a smart performance. We thought she would run well but didn’t expect her to win first time at six. I was impressed with the way she really quickened up on her own on the wing," O'Brien said. "It looked a good maiden with plenty on them well fancied so we'll look to go for either the Chesham or the Albany. "The dam won at a mile and a quarter so she qualifies for the Chesham and will probably go straight there. She probably wants to go seven." STEWARDS REPORT * N.M. Crosse, rider of Spicy Water, trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount got no luck in running. Additional reporting by Alan Magee
