Gamble goes astray as Son strikes on second start Son Of Beauty improved upon an encouraging initial effort to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Maiden, as a gamble on Mooncoin went astray. Tried over seven-furlongs on debut, the Stephen Thorne-trained victor finished third on that occasion and upped to a mile this evening, he was sent to post an easy-to-back 3/1 chance (as short as 6/4 in early shows). Settled in mid-division by Jack Kearney, the Riverstown Stables-owned Nando Parrado gelding got a nice run through on the inner entering the straight, soon improving to challenge the front-running Egyptian Pharaoh (16/1 from 50s early). The pair had a good scrap from the furlong pole and after they both edged right in the closing stages, there was just a head between them at the line. One of five debutants in the line-up, Consolidate (11/1) came from off the pace to finish an eye-catching third, with this Emmet Mullins-trained colt three-lengths off the runner-up. From 10s early, the aforementioned Mooncoin came in for sustained market support and was eventually returned the 7/4 favourite. Nicely positioned entering the straight, the Mark Fahey-trained filly ultimately faded tamely when ridden and finished a disappointing ninth. "He's bred to get a lot further, he's a half-brother to that Jack Darcy - very good family and Omni Man is also a half-brother to him too. Two very good horses in the pedigree. The Nando Parrado probably injects a bit more speed in him," Thorne explained. "Just waiting to see how he came out of the run the last day but, the way he finished off, we were quite confident he would get the mile. "He's still a little bit babyish from a furlong-and-a-half out and raw while fighting it out. We think he is a horse that is just developing mentally and he has strengthened up plenty from the last run so I'm hoping he will be a lovely horse for the summer months if he is not traded. We are open to offers. "The horse might be worth an entry for the Madrid (at Naas) in a couple of weeks time. He's a horse that does have a bit of an action and he'll be a fit horse heading for that - stiff seven (furlongs) might suit him well." STEWARDS REPORTS * The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident in the closing stages involving Egyptian Pharaoh (GB), ridden by R.P. Whelan, placed second, and Son Of Beauty, ridden by J. Kearney, placed first, where it appeared the two horses came close together. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted. * J. Kearney, rider of Son Of Beauty, trained by Stephen Thorne, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount leaned right up the straight. * D.P. McDonogh, rider of Jojo's Legacy, trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was hampered inside the furlong pole. * The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Mooncoin, trained by Mark Fahey, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal. * At the request of the Raceday Stewards, C.D. Hayes, rider of Keepsgettingbetter, trained by Donnacha Aidan O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stayed on past beaten horses in the home straight. Additional reporting by Michael Graham
