Greeneyed Monster (nearest) just gets the better of Bluebell © Photo Healy Racing
Greeneyed Monster just got the better of Bluebell to claim the opening race of the Killarney July Festival, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction 2yo Race.
The Kevin Prendergast trained son of Diamond Green was sent off a 20/1 shot after finishing fourth on his debut at Bellewstown ten days ago, over nine lengths behind winner Ubiquitous Mantle.
Settled in mid-division by Chris Hayes, he was seventh at the halfway stage and was ridden into third a furlong from home.
He stayed on well to challenge the front-running Bluebell inside the final furlong, narrowly getting to the front in the final 100 yards and keeping on from there to score by a short head at the line.
Bluebell (9/4) had to settle for second for Aidan & Joseph O’Brien, while Princess Aloof (9/1) was two and a half lengths back in third under Niall McCullagh for Jessica Harrington.
The Mick Halford trained Bleeding Heart went off the well-backed 2/1 favourite (4/1 this morning and opened at 9/4 on-course), but he could find no extra in the final furlong and he dead-heated for fourth with Main Straits
Chris Hayes said afterwards: “It is beautiful good to firm ground and there is no jar in it.
They’ve done a good job of watering it, especially around the bends.
"He had a nice first run at Bellewstown and he came on a lot for it at home.
"The boss said to take my time. I know I only won a short head but from a furlong and a half out I always thought I’d get there."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
