Cadogan makes winning return for O'Brien and McMonagle A smart juvenile last season, the Joseph O'Brien trained Cadogan made a winning reappearance when staying on strongly under Dylan Browne McMonagle to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Leopardstown. Runner up to a dual subsequent Group 1 winner on his introduction, the son of Farhh may not have enjoyed the testing ground when unable to back that effort up at this venue on his only other start at two. Off the track since October, the gelding was supported from 9/4 into 7/4f to make the breakthrough on his first start of the year. Always prominent on the heels of leader Slaney Drive, McMonagle came through to lead over a furlong out before staying on well to win by a length. Slaney Drive had to be snatched up over 150 yards out, as the winner got tight on the rail but after a stewards enquiry the result stands. Joseph O’Brien said: “He’s been a talented horse but has been a bit frustrating to train. We’re very happy with how we have him now and you’d be looking forward to the rest of the season with him. “I’d imagine he’ll probably end up in a handicap and it would be more likely that he would go ten (furlongs) rather than come back to a mile. “He has a bit of class and hopefully he can fulfil his potential now.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee.
