Sovereign strikes as gamble goes astray Sovereign Thought (16/1) made the breakthrough in the Grant Thornton Nursery Handicap, as a late plunge on Zheleznaya Dama went astray. Backed from 33s into 3/1 favouritism, the latter led with two-furlongs to go, but ultimately faded in the closing stages and had to settle for third. Never far from the pace under Gavin Ryan, the Donnacha O'Brien-trained victor was ridden to the front inside the final 200 yards and kept on well from there to score by a length-and-a-half. In first time cheekpieces, top-weight Venetian Star (9/2) came through to take second, with the aforementioned market leader another half-a-length back in third. "It actually suited me down to the ground - we jumped probably better than I expected," Ryan reflected. "Coming from stall nine, I would have been happy to be in fourth or fifth position. My guy has jumped very smart and got himself into a good position without using any energy. "I was able to sit and wait. I knew what was beside me was probably going to drop away. The fact that I had something to chase after helped me greatly. He got by it and has won a shade snug. "He got a little bit lost around Sligo the last day, first time going around a turning track but it stood him the world of experience. "My lad was stepping up to that trip for the first time and ground that is slightly on the slow side played to his strengths. He toughed it out well to the line." STEWARDS REPORT * The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident leaving the stalls involving Zheleznaya Dama (USA), ridden by L.T. McAteer, and War Saint, ridden by P. McGettigan, where it appeared these horses bumped. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
