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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Harrington eyes Royal Ascot for Birdman

Sat 18th May 2024, 17:08

Birdman, left, delivers a winning moveBirdman, left, delivers a winning move
© Photo Healy Racing

Birdman is now two from two after keeping on best in the Listed Yeats Stakes over 1m5f in Navan.

He went off at 9/4 to add to his Cork maiden success over an extended 1m4f in April.

Shane Foley rode him into a challenging position a quarter of a mile out and the pair led a furlong and a-half down.

The Free Eagle gelding kept on nicely to come in by a length and a quarter from Bellezza (9/2).

Jessica Harrington said: "It looks like it (could have a star on her hands)._

"It was a lovely run and it was great to see. It was only the second run of his life and we are delighted.

"Most likely he'll go for the Queen's Vase at Ascot, that's the plan.

"We thought he would take the jump in class in his stride.

"He goes on good ground and would go on quicker ground. I was a bit worried in Cork that it was a little bit too soft for him but he coped with that.

"He's a great big baby and he's only a frame of a horse. He's still a work in progress."

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.