Crown on top in Crowne at Dundalk

An eye-catcher with his finishing effort at Tipperary last time Fastnet Crown struck in the second split of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Dundalk Maiden.

With his ‘junction’ visor swapped for blinkers this time, and upped to a mile for his polytrack debut, the Michael O’Callaghan-trained and Leigh Roche-ridden three-year-old ran out a good length and a half winner. Feminism performed satisfactorily on her return from a break to fill the second spot, with favourite Bluebeard’s Castle three parts of a length back in third.

“He's always shown us plenty of ability at home but has been a slow learner,” said Roche.

“On his few runs in the first half he's been throwing the race away as he's been sluggish away and never travelled, pure laziness.

“That's why he has the blinkers on him, it's not that he's ungenuine, it's just to make him jump and do things right.

“He's very well-bred as he's a half-brother to I Am Superman who runs tomorrow in a Group 1 in Australia.

“He has loads of ability and done it well there today, he had plenty in hand as in the last furlong he had his ears pricked.

“He's a smart horse and I think he's going to improve an awful lot.

L.T. McAteer, rider of Wonwabbitwon trained by Anthony Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was slowly away from the stalls.

(GC & EM)