Stop steps forward to open account Stop The Nation stepped forward nicely from his initial effort to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Race at the Curragh this afternoon. The Jack Davison-trained colt had been runner-up to Lady Iman on his debut at Dundalk late last month. He went to post a 3/1 shot today and travelled well to hit the front a furlong-and-a-half from home under James Ryan. The son of Sioux Nation was asked for an effort passing the furlong pole and kept on well in the closing stages to hold Aegina by half a length. Ryan said:- “It was very good. We just wanted to get him doing things right today. “There was no pace the first day and he was a bit green, running around in front. “You could see today he was green again but when I gave him a kick at the furlong pole he really stretched out and put it to bed. “He was still a bit inexperience at the finish but that will come with time. I thought it was a very good performance. “We were plenty streetwise after the run, he just did things a bit green but we knew coming here we had improved from out last run and were hopeful of a big run. I’m delighted it worked out. “I think on the feel he gave me today that we’re very hopeful he can be a stakes horse. I think he’s a horse that will keep improving during the year.”
