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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Atomic Jones successful on debut in a thriller

Sun 27th Jun 2021, 14:01

Atomic Jones (centre) holds off challenges on both sidesAtomic Jones (centre) holds off challenges on both sides
© Photo Healy Racing

Day three of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh got off to a cracking start with Atomic Jones just coming out on top at odds of 11/2 after a thrilling finish to the Barronstown Stud Irish EBF (C&G) Maiden.

The Ger Lyons-trained newcomer was ridden to challenge a furlong out by Colin Keane and just held on in a blanket finish with distances of short-head, nose, and two heads separating the first five home saying it all.

The unlucky loser certainly appeared to be Point Gellibrand who was denied a clear run until squeezing through a gap inside the final 100 yards and would have been up in another stride. Shark Bay and Chicago Soldier both came home well in third and fourth, while 3/1 favourite Manu Et Corde was prominent throughout and kept on gamely in fifth.

Lyons' brother and assistant trainer Shane said, "We're very happy with him, he's a big raw horse and he came here to have a day out and to improve.

“Obviously he has ability to be able to do that. Colin said he loved the ground and he'll be a lovely horse over a trip next year.

“He's called after a Tom Jones song, not Sean Jones (part-owner) as some of the lads on telly were saying.

“He's a fine big horse and like one of ours he will improve so we'll take it from there.”

(GC & AM)

1st
11/2
Tote €7.00 €2.40
2nd
shd
10/1
€3.50
3rd
nose
5/1
€2.00
4th
hd
16/1
bf
hd
3/1Fav
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.