Success Days (right) gets up to beat the favourite Hunt© Photo Healy Racing
Success Days sprang a 25/1 surprise in the opener at Gowran, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, as he got up close home to beat the even money favourite (6/4 this morning) Hunt
The Ken Condon trained colt finished seventh of fourteen behind Fit For The Job on his debut at Galway and as a result he was sent off an outsider today.
Settled in fourth by Fran Berry he was ridden and improved to challenge on the outer from two furlongs out, getting to the front inside the final 50 yards before going on to score by half a length.
The Johnny Murtagh trained Hunt hit the front from two furlongs out but he couldn’t hold off the winner and he had to settle for second under Niall McCullagh.
Rules The Waves (3/1) completed the placings a further three and a half lengths back in third for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien.
Ken Condon said afterwards: "I thought he might be third or fourth. He came forward from his run at Galway, which is a difficult place to go first time and he was very green there.
"He got in behind the main protagonists and Fran was happy with him. I'd say we'll stretch him out to a mile next time and go for a nursery.
"Killarney might come a bit soon and there could be something in Listowel maybe.
"That's only my second runner for the owner (Robert Ng who also owns the classy Sruthan) and first winner. I also have a filly who was a close fourth in a listed race."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards fined Patrick Martin, trainer, €65 for failing to fit a tongue tie to Staccato Wolf prior to entering the parade ring.
The Stewards enquired into an incident approaching the furlong marker involving Hunt, ridden by N.G. McCullagh, placed second and Rule The Waves (USA), ridden by J.P. O'Brien, placed third. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the incident was accidental and took no further action.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
