Even Par a winning score at Curragh Gavin Cromwell's Even Par was a 25/1 stunner on debut in the EBF Median Sires Series Maiden (Smullen Series) over a mile in the Curragh. Favourite backers were on good terms with themselves as Lunar Empress travelled strongly into the lead inside the final quarter of a mile. She looked for all money that she would take the honours once shaken up by Shane Foley inside the final furlong. Even Par stayed on into second, but looked held in the closing stages, however, there was a sting in the tail for favourite backers as Even Par ran on well and claimed the leader in the final strides. She beat the even-money chance by a neck with nicely-backed The Boogeyman some four and a half lengths away in third at 8/1. Jockey Jack Kearney said: "It was a lovely performance first time out. He did everything right, was very straightforward, and hit the line well. "I got a lovely run through following Dusty (Foley, Lunar Empress). For a horse having his first run, I didn't want to ask him too many questions especially on that soft ground there today. "It was just a matter of getting him home and he did it well." Race planner Troy Cullen added: "He's a real good-looking horse and, since day one, he's been very straightforward. "We said we'd give him a bit of time there towards the end of the season. "He got through the ground real well there today, but he has always shown loads and loads at home. It was just a matter of giving him a bit of time to develop. "He's a fine, big, good-looking horse, so he's going to make a beautiful three-year-old. "Mick Meegan, that heads up the syndicate (Even Par Partnership) with some of his friends, is a great fella. I'm delighted for them. They have a few other horses in the yard, but this fella looks like he could be very special." Additional reporting by John O'Riordan
