McMunigal and Colin Keane pictured on their way to victory© Photo Healy Racing
McMunigal ran out a good winner of the opener at Naas this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.
The Ger Lyons trained son of Epaulette was bought for 50,000 guineas at Tattersalls Craven Breeze-up Sale in April.
Available at 10/1 this morning, the David Spratt owned gelding opened on-course at 8s, before going off a 13/2 chance under Colin Keane.
Prominent in the early stages, the bay victor was eventually settled behind the leaders, and was third on the entrance to the straight.
He was pushed along and ridden from the two furlong pole, getting to the front 200 yards out, staying on strongly from there to score by four lengths. James Cook (3/1jfav), one of three Aidan O'Brien trained colts in the line-up, ran on to take second under Ryan Moore, while the other joint-favourite, Loving A Boom (6s last night and from 9/4 on-course), was another two and a half lengths back in third with Colm O'Donoghue aboard for Jessica Harrington.
The winning handler said afterwards: "He's a horse that came to me from the breeze-ups. David Spratt picked him and bought him. He's had a winter coat all summer hence we took our time. He was a rig so we operated and let him get over it.
"He wasn't coming in his coat and we choose this race a while ago. The coat didn't matter at this stage. What you have seen there is what he's been showing at home. Anything I've asked of him he's done.
"He's very laid back and Colin said he floated through the ground. He's not ground dependant and there should be huge improvement as he was green when he hit the front.
"I'm not sure if we will run him again this year. We could do a Doctor Geoff and come back here for the Tetrarch next year. Something like that but we won’t be in a rush with him."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards enquired into an incident in the latter stages of this race involving Machiavelli (GB), ridden by N.G. McCullagh, placed fifth, Night Of Power ridden by D.P. McDonogh, placed fourth and Summer's Dream (GB), ridden by W.J. Lee, unplaced, where it appeared that Summer's Dream (GB) ran short of room and checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the incident was caused by D.P. McDonogh riding carelessly and consequently found him to be in breach of Rule 214. Having taken his previous record and mitigating factors into consideration the Stewards suspended D.P. McDonogh for 1 raceday . Mr Robert Hall, Acting Steward, did not attend this enquiry.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
