Illinois is driven out by Seamie Heffernan to beat Warbird© Photo Healy Racing
Despite drifting in the market, the Aidan O’Brien trained Illinois made a successful debut in the opening race at Tipperary this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The son of Galileo was the 10/11 favourite this morning with Paddy Power, but he drifted out to an opening show on-course of 2/1, the price he went off at.
The Mick Halford trained Warbird was the one for money. He was 6/4 this morning, but opened on track at 8/11, before going off the 4/7 favourite.
The Seamie Heffernan ridden victor, soon led after breaking from the stalls and he was ridden a furlong and a half from home, staying on well to assert inside the final furlong, winning comfortably by three and a quarter lengths.
Warbird couldn’t match the winner inside the final furlong and he had to settle for second under Shane Foley. Silver Gauntlet finished three lengths back in third while St James Gate was another four lengths back in last.
Jason Walsh, Coolmore representative, said afterwards: “We were happy with what he had done. He goes well and he appreciated the trip.”
The winning chestnut colt is out of Chintz, who was Group 3 winner at the Curragh back in 2008 for David Wachman.
He also holds an entry in next year's Epsom Derby and his grand dam is half-sister to Solmeia who won the Arc last year.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
