Ex-Ballydoyle inmate wins Naas opener

The Joseph O’Brien trained, J.P. McManus owned Outspoken (8/15f) made it third time lucky over jumps at Naas today, landing the opening Credo Pizza Supporting Kill GAA Maiden Hurdle under jockey Mark Walsh.

The son of Galileo had won two of his initial Flat starts for the trainer’s father Aidan O’Brien in 2015 and finished his Ballydoyle spell with a flat rating of 101. Today Outspoken put that ability to good use and while he blundered at the third last flight, stayed on strongly in the home straight to comfortably beat Icario

After the race, Frank Berry, racing manager to McManus, stated “they didn’t go much of a gallop but he quickened up well over the last three and did it well. You’d be pleased with him and he’ll learn a little bit more - he has a bit to learn about jumping.

“He quickened up well because the other fella (Icario) looked like he came with a bit of horse beside him.

“He handles that ground well and we’ll look for a novice, a winners of one or something like that now.”

By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson