Wolf off the mark for Davison Howlin Wolf made a winning start in handicap company when landing the opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery at the Curragh this afternoon. The Cotai Glory gelding was prominent throughout in the six-furlong contest and travelled strongly for James Ryan. The 10/1 shot kept on best inside the final furlong to record a length-and-a-quarter success over I Ready. Mrs Paul Davison's homebred made three previous outings in maiden company and winning trainer Jack Davison said "That was good. He was just sort of an immature horse and was always going to need a couple of runs to learn the job. “I didn’t really expect this. He’s a quirky sort but he got the rail and picked up well. “We’ll look forward to the Birdcatcher, it’s a great pot. “It’s really pleasing, I bred him myself. I actually bought the mare in America for the minimum bid of $3,000 and it cost me 10 grand to get her back but I’m glad I did. She’s paid me back now. “He’s always shown bits and pieces of ability but my concern was when he’d put it together. He did today. “Hopefully the penny has dropped now.” This was the first of three qualifying nurseries in the Birdcatcher Series series, with each race offering €33,500 in prize money: There are similar contests at Navan and Cork next month. If the winner of any of these three qualifying races goes on to win the Irish EBF Birdcatcher Premier Nursery at Naas on October 10th, they will receive an additional €20,000 bonus on top of the first-place prize money. This will net connections just over €70,000 from prize money and the bonus.
