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Warbird battles back for victory in opener

Warbird sees off CraftsmanWarbird sees off Craftsman
© Photo Healy Racing

Warbird stuck to his task well to land the opening seven-furlong maiden at Gowran Park this afternoon.

Shane Foley cut out the running on the Sheikh Mohammed-owned Royal Applause colt but he was pressed from before halfway by Craftsman

The easy-to-back Ballydoyle-trained favourite (7/4 into 1/1 morning & 7/4 to 11/4 on course) looked set to score when hitting the front two furlongs out but Foley conjured a renewed effort from his mount.

Warbird battled back to lead inside the final furlong and kept on well in the closing stages for a half-length success.

Trainer Michael Halford felt the experience of the two previous runs helped his charge:-

“It wasn't the plan to make the running and he just found himself there. He rolled around a bit when Joseph (O'Brien) came to him but he picked up again.

“He's a nice horse and the two runs were probably a big help to him. He's a horse that could keep improving. He's honest and he put his best foot forward.”

Quizzed as to whether he would go for a nursery or stakes race next Halford added:- “We'll see what Garry O'Gorman (the handicapper) thinks.”

(Additional reporting by Donal Murphy)

1st
7/2
Tote €5.40 €1.60
2nd
0.5L
11/4Fav
€1.30
3rd
5.5L
10/1
€3.40
4th
0.5L
11/1
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.