Nautical Force justifies market support under Coen The well-backed Nautical Force justified his position at the head of the market, as he led home 17 rivals in the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Maiden. Fourth in two starts last season at the Curragh and Gowran respectively, the Johnny Murtagh-trained chestnut was briefly available at 10/1 this morning, but came in for sustained late support, eventually going off favourite at 10/3. Upped in trip to a mile and a quarter today and settled behind the leaders by Ben Coen, the Paddy Woods-owned victor travelled strongly on the outer from early in the straight. Sent to the front from the two-furlong pole, the successful son of Ghaiyyath soon skipped clear and kept on well in the closing stages to beat Arouet by a length and three-quarters. The runner-up, who was returned at 12/1, ran a fine race on debut and pulled four and a quarter lengths clear of fellow debutant Kilmeaden (10/1) in third. "Eddie Linehan sourced him for me and he ran twice last year, finishing fourth in a good maiden at the Curragh and then he ran at Gowran, when he was just weak. If you look at him now, he is still unfurnished," Woods disclosed. "He was with Conor Hoban (pre-trainer) for a spell before coming back and had been working well. I haven't ridden him myself as Johnny won't let me! "It'll be a Premier Handicap somewhere next but I don't think we'll run him back too quick because he is light-framed and every day, he tries too hard. Johnny isn't here so we'll wait and see." STEWARDS REPORTS * C.D. Hayes, rider of Kasgani, trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount ran green in the straight. * S. Foley, rider of Kingstonian (GB), trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled at any stage. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined So Scottish (FR), trained by Emmet Mullins, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to have lost a left fore shoe but to be otherwise post race normal. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Kingstonian (GB), trained by Mrs John Harrington, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * Mrs John Harrington, trainer of Kingstonian (GB), reported to the Stewards' Secretaries through her representative that her charge scoped dirty post race. Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
