Najm Suhail and Chris Hayes © Photo Healy Racing
Najm Suhail looked a two-year-old with a bright future when making an impressive debut in the opening five-furlong maiden at Dundalk this evening.
Chris Hayes tracked the leader on the 3/1 joint-favourite before switching out to deliver his run at the furlong pole.
He soon grabbed fellow market leader Ealain Aibrean and was well on top in the closing stages as he posted a two-and-a-quarter length verdict.
The son of Proclamation was well supported this morning from 9/2 into 2/1 before drifting slightly on course.
“He's a nice little colt. A couple of months ago you wouldn't have looked twice at him but all of a sudden he's popped up and all his work has been good,” said winning trainer Paul Deegan.
“He'd definitely be better with another furlong and we were a bit concerned about the five but Chris said he showed loads of pace and put it to bed well.
“It's a shame it wasn't a couple of weeks earlier as he would have been a lovely one for the winners race at the Curragh but that didn't work out and this race has been the plan for a month.
“We'll see how he comes out of this. He's still a little immature and there is a bit to work on.
“He could go to Naas (May 15th). He couldn't have been more impressive but time will tell what he's beaten. On his home work you'd hope he would do that.
“He wouldn't want soft ground. Chris was keen to go to the Curragh but we couldn't bank on decent ground there. He's a good ground horse.”
