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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Last Encore takes centrestage in the Birdcatcher

Sat 12th Oct 2024, 16:10

Last Encore (right) and Dylan Browne McMonagle winning the Birdcatcher Premier NurseryLast Encore (right) and Dylan Browne McMonagle winning the Birdcatcher Premier Nursery
© Photo Healy Racing

Last Encore followed up a Navan nursery success for owner/breeder Max Morris when landing the €40,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery off an 8lb higher mark at Naas.

The Joseph O’Brien-trained colt was never too far from the pace in this six-furlong dash and struck the front over a furlong out under Dylan Browne McMonagle.

The well-backed 11/4 (from 4/1) favourite kept on well inside the final 150 yards to beat Smoke Them Out by half a length, with Manhattan Chute a further length and a half away in third.

McMonagle said, “He’s a tough little fella who jumps good and travels well.

“I was very comfortable to halfway but was a little bit worried that we might be drawn on the wrong side so hence I had to go a bit early.

“In fairness he picked up good and was tough the last furlong when he needed to be.

“He won a nursery well in Navan and has come forward again. He’s shown a lot of speed and sharpened up with racing.

“He stays out the trip well and I think he’ll be more effective on good ground as he has a real low action.

“He’s very straight forward and relaxes in his races which is a big help. When you want him to come forward, he has plenty of gears and he tries so it makes my job easy.”

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.