Independent Expert makes breakthrough for Thorne A five-time previous winner, Independent Expert got her head in front for the first time since joining Stephen Thorne when landing the Nursery Of Champions Handicap at Naas. Having finished a highly creditable seventh in the Irish Lincoln on her stable debut, the mare didn't enjoy the clearest of runs when a beaten favourite at Cork last month. Stepping back up to a mile this afternoon, the six-year-old was always prominent under Jack Kearney, before heading leader Nakasero over a furlong out. Keeping on strongly inside the final furlong, the daughter of Gutaifan went right away to beat runner-up Killeaney Bear by three-and-three-quarter lengths. “The last day over seven she got a little outpaced and she stayed on well. I think nowadays the stiff mile suits her well,” said Thorne. “She was a good winner of a Killarney handicap last year on good to firm ground so we knew that she’d handle the ground even though she’s versatile, as she handles juice in the ground as well. “She’s very tough, honest and genuine. Andy Slattery was moving her on last year and recommended her to us. “It couldn’t have worked out any better, on a nice day like this to win a nice pot. “The colours are very important, she sports the colours of my assistant Stephen Mooney’s grandparents. My first winner carried those colours so it’s nice for Stephen and his family to have a nice winner on a day like this. “We look for something similar. She might run well in a nice fillies handicap on one of the big weekends, because she has good Curragh form. We’ll see what’s there on Oaks or Derby weekend. She’ll be a nice filly for Galway as well.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
