Moon Sand scores in facile fashion Moon Sand (5/2 JF) made a winning handicap debut with ease in the Kwiff More Bang For Your Bet Nursery Handicap over seven furlongs at the Curragh. After two uninspiring runs, his third start was slightly more encouraging with a staying sixth at Naas. Joey Sheridan controlled this race from behind the leaders, as they had gone too fast, and he gently eased the grey son of Sea The Moon into contention two furlongs out. Joseph O'Brien's charge coasted into the lead, and although he ran green towards the finish, he scored by four lengths for owner Barry Fowler. Romance (11/4) and Gabby Hayes (18/1) came through from the rear to finish second and third, with the latter beaten six and a half lengths. "I think he liked getting on the softer ground. He won impressively. He's been coming on with his racing and hopefully the best is yet to come,” enthused winning trainer Joseph O’Brien. “I suppose he's going to get a good whack for that, so we'll see whether he goes for another nursery or into a stakes race. A strong pace on the soft ground suited him. He's a nice horse hopefully." Additional reporting by John O’Riordan.
