Affinisea comes home a clear cut winner under Declan McDonogh© Photo Healy Racing
Newcomer Affinisea ran out an easy winner of the last at Roscommon, the At The Races Maiden, scoring under Declan McDonogh for John Oxx.
Settled in mid-division he made headway into fourth entering the straight.
He cruised through to lead a furlong and a half from home and he stretched clear when ridden from the furlong pole, going on to score by five lengths. Macnicholson was sent off the 7/4 favourite and he finished second under Fran Berry for Jessica Harrington while Hudson's Bay (12/1) was a further length and a quarter back in third under Billy Lee for Thomond O'Mara.
The winning four-year-old son of Sea The Stars was sent off a 9/4 having opened at 3/1 on-course.
He was bought for E850,000 as a foal by his owners Sunderland Holdings Ltd (the Tsui family) and he is related to plenty of high-class performers.
His half-brother Soldier Of Fortune won the Irish Derby in 2007 and he also claimed the Coronation Cup and the Prix Niel during his illustrious career.
Other half-brothers include Group 3 winner Heliostatic and Listed victor Carraiglawn.
John Oxx revealed afterwards: "He was injured for a long time, and did nothing at two and not a lot as a three-year-old. He's only really been in training from last autumn.
"We have been minding him, and that shower we had an hour ago helped. He's a beautiful looking horse with a great pedigree and he's got talent.
"He could be a horse to have as a five-year-old. Time is moving on and we will not be too hard on him this year.
"That's the first time he's ever been on grass. We have not learned a lot about him at home as the ground has been too firm to run him on grass.
"I'd like to find a winners race over a mile and a half, and he could get an entry in the mile and six furlongs race on the Friday of Galway."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
