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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Lancaster House rules the roost in Ballybrit

Sat 3rd Aug 2019, 16:15

Newcomer Lancaster House impresses in GalwayNewcomer Lancaster House impresses in Galway
© Photo Healy Racing

Lancaster House spreadeagled the field with an eye-catching display on debut in the Galway Shopping centre Maiden, to give Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien a quick-fire double.

The Galileo colt wasn't swift to break but made the most of his inside draw in stall one to move into the lead approaching the end of the first furlong.

The nicely backed 6/4 favourite powered round the home bend and soon took a few lengths out of his scrubbed-along pursuers.

The race was over once he straightened up as he drew further clear inside the final furlong to rout his 17 rivals.

He beat runner-up Darkened (11/2) by eight lengths with Queen Amidala another half a length away in third at 25/1.

Donnacha O'Brien said: "He was still quite green and raw but his work at home was nice and he'll progress from that.

"He was a little bit slow away from the stalls but nothing around me had too much gate speed, so I was able to get him up there and, once I did, I was comfortable the whole way.

"He quickened up well and he put a nice bit of daylight between himself and the field.

"I think a mile and two furlongs will be no problem for him and after that we'll see after he steps up."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

1st
6/4Fav
Tote €2.80 €1.30
2nd
8L
11/2
€1.80
3rd
0.5L
25/1
€9.00
4th
1L
5/2
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.