The grey Amortentia wins under Shane Crosse © Photo Healy Racing
The 5/2 favourite Amortentia was Joseph O’Brien’s fourth winner across the two Irish cards when landing the three-year-old handicap.
Shane Crosse dropped out the handicap debutant towards rear and made steady progress up the straight to move past long-time leader Eastern Wind and Cowboy Justice well inside the final furlong.
The winner wasn’t hard pressed to beat the latter by half a length with Eastern Wind another length and a half away in third.
O’Brien, doubling up at Naas after Brostaigh and after two winners over hurdles at Killarney as well, said: "Shane gave the horse a lovely confident ride and he has progressed well from last year.
“I didn't expect him to win today, we thought he'd run well. He's a nice horse and hopefully going forward we can have some nice days with him.
“Sue-Ann (Foley) will get a big kick out of that, it was a nice win and a good performance.”
When asked if he could go to Royal Ascot he added:- “Obviously the timing works well from now and if there is a suitable race there, which I'm sure there will be, he could be on the boat.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
