Still Standing and Colm O'Donoghue© Photo Healy Racing
Jessica Harrington received a welcome boost after the disappointing run of Our Duke at Down Royal yesterday when Still Standing led home a 1-2 for the Moone trainer in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Naas.
The son of Mastercraftsman was prominent throughout under Colm O’Donoghue but stable-companion House Call backed on track from 10/1 into 4/1, did throw down a challenge over a furlong out.
However the 7/4 favourite kept on well inside the final furlong, and drew clear to score by two and three quarter lengths. Wichita Line belied her odds of 50/1 by coming home strongly just a head further back in third.
Mrs Harrington said, “He promised to do that in Leopardstown last week, and he was very good there today.
“I was delighted with the filly as well. She just got a bit tired in the last half-furlong. He (Colin Keane) thought she was going to get to him but then just got a bit tired.
“It’s heavy ground. They both went on it but they both would prefer a bit better ground.
“I’d say he will stay a mile and a half and Colm thinks he’s a nice horse.”
She also gave an update on her star chaser who trailed home seventh in the JNwine.com Champion Chase saying, “Our Duke is sound, he scoped wrong. They took some bloods from him this morning, and we’ll take it from there.
“He has done it once before. I just don’t know and I’m scratching my head. He was gone after the first fence.”
