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Tom Weekes

Tom Weekes

Royal Blend scores for O'Brien & Browne McMonagle

Sat 9th Oct 2021, 14:16

Royal Blend and Dylan Browne McMonagle Royal Blend and Dylan Browne McMonagle
© Photo Healy Racing

Heavy ground played to the strengths of Royal Blend winner of Limerick's Welcome Back To Limerick Racecourse Maiden today as the Zoffany-sired filly scored for trainer Joseph O'Brien and jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Even-money morning favourite Artician was easy to back, and was returned 2/1, as race-fit Royal Blend was heavily backed from 9/4 this morning to eventually become 1/1 favourite at the off.

Front-running Artician was two lengths clear of Royal Blend with a furlong to race but folded, eventually finishing fourth, in a stamina-sapping final furlong, as Royal Blend scored by 2.75L from The Pocket Flyer

Afterwards Joseph O'Brien's assistant Brendan Powell reported “she absolutely loves the ground — the boys say it is absolutely bottomless but she loves it.

“He (Browne McMonagle) was going to make the running but said they went hard and Artician stopped. Today is the first time I've seen her pick up from off the bridle and she found a lot.

“I think that trip and ground is ideal for her and we wouldn't mind finding a little black-type race for her on that ground soon.”

1st
1/1Fav
Tote €2.10 €1.10
2nd
2.75L
33/1
€10.40
3rd
0.75L
12/1
€4.30
4th
1.5L
2/1
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.