Racing /News: The Listed events might have been in Cork yesterday, but it doesn't look like it will be long before Lord Admiral has some black type in his sights.
The Naas crowd had their punting boots on with a vengeance and Lord Admiral, owned by the legendary Vincent O'Brien, rewarded their confidence in the two-year-old maiden.
Backed from 8 to 1 to almost half that price, the El Prado colt pounced late under Davy Condon to beat Memorandum by a length.
"I thought he was entitled to win," admitted trainer Charles O'Brien. "His run at Leopardstown looked the best bit of form, especially having missed the break.
"But he's a pretty nice horse and I wouldn't be afraid of running him over a mile. He might struggle when it gets soft, so he'll probably have just one or two more runs this season," he added.
The well-backed Native Churchtown was turned over by Alpha Rhythm in the maiden hurdle, but punters could hardly complain about their luck after The Gollymocky snatched a dead-heat in the final stride of the six-furlong maiden.
Backed from 6 to 1 to 7 to 2 favourite, The Gollymocky got on terms with the newcomer Secret Wish just in the nick of time. "He's named after a ditch in Clongowes College that youngfellas were thrown into in the old days!" said trainer Patrick Prendergast,a former pupil.
Patience was the word when Eddie Lynam was giving his instructions to Declan McDonogh before the fillies maiden. "I told Declan that no matter how well he was going he was to wait until he'd jumped the last!" quipped Lynam, who reached the 13 winner mark for the season.
Harry The Ear, completing a double for Paul Carberry, has a dislike of starting stalls, but they were not in the equation for the handicap hurdle and Michael Halford's horse defied 12st with a length success over Recess.
Jamie Moriarty (18), had his eighth career winner when guiding Jumbo Romance to victory in the apprentice handicap.
"She deserved that. She has been knocking on the door all year. We'll see about the Curragh on Sunday, but she does like those big, galloping tracks," said trainer Tim Doyle.
Willie Mullins has another smart bumper horse as the French purchase Lasquini Du Moulin made a winning debut for the Sunnybank Syndicate.
