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Guard lands gamble in Curragh opener

Immortal Guard and Donagh O'Connor lead them homeImmortal Guard and Donagh O'Connor lead them home
© Healy Racing Photos

Good support for Immortal Guard proved well warranted as he made a winning debut for Robson De Aguiar in the opening Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden at the Curragh.

The Persian Force colt travelled nicely for Donagh O’Connor in the six furlong contest and was produced to challenge a furlong-and-a-half from home.

He stuck his head in front inside the final furlong to record a half-length win over Otherworldly

The winner was as big as 22/1 this morning and went to post a 7/2 shot. The son of Persian Force was a €100,000 purchase as a yearling.

"I was very happy with this horse at home. He shows a lot of class, a lot of ability. I just waited for him for strengthen because he is still a little bit weak,” said De Aguiar.

“Whatever he does today he will improve a lot. The coat has still not come on him.

“I'm very happy for the stallion as well, with four wins in the last few weeks, so everything is coming the right way. This horse, I think, will have improve a lot. 

With regard to future plans, he added; "Look we will see after the race today. We’re thinking big with him. Whatever he will do today, he is only half way of the horse he can be. 

Asked if he will now step into stakes company, he added: "I think so. We had a horse win last evening and, there will be races for them and, we see who is the best on the day and, then we will run them."

(Quotes by John O’Riordan)

1st
7/2
Tote €4.60 €1.10
2nd
0.5L
4/1
€2.10
3rd
0.5L
16/1
€4.90
4th
hd
9/1
bf
shd
3/1Fav
About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.