Grand City Hall lays down the law under Whelan

Grand City Hall (11/2) landed the six-furlong maiden for Jarlath Fahey and owners Park Hill Racing.

Placed in a big-field Curragh maiden at two and rated 80, the gelded son of The Irish Rover stalked the pace under Ronan Whelan before being produced to lead a furlong out and he kept on well to score by a length and a quarter from market leader Emerald Banner  

"It was his first run back, he was fairly straight and had three runs last year so knows his job," said Fahey.

"For a lad who has had a few runs he was a little green when he went to the front. 

"He is forward-going, six or seven (furlongs) is his trip and is a very easy going horse. Hopefully he can improve as the season goes along.

"We were glad the ground dried out as he needs top of the ground and his dam (Clonville) was the same. 

"He is bred by my wife Suzanne and is by a local stallion to us The Irish Rover in Sweep Lane Stud, who has a good strike-rate. He is a son of No Nay Never so was the cheap way of getting that bloodline."

Quotes from Thomas Weekes