Khartoum makes capital gains in Naas

Khartoum (7/2) was a decisive winner of the Naas Handicap over a mile for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.

The Pioneerof The Nile colt made sustained progress on the rail racing into the final two furlongs, and was switched out to challenge Cosmic Vega approaching the final furlong.

He swept past that rival at the furlong marker and was soon ridden to assert. He powered home by two lengths from Visualisation (3/1). Laelaps (11/2) ran a notable race in third as he ploughed a lone furrow towards the stands' side.

O’Brien said: “He went to Newmarket and he was too fresh and did too much.

“He settled and quickened up well today. He won nicely.

“I always thought he wanted good ground but he won his maiden on soft ground Ryan said it is proper soft ground there today.”

Khartoum, who won his maiden at the Curragh in October, holds Classic entries in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Irish Derby.

This was his handicap debut after finishing unplaced in the Craven at Newmarket.

Khartoum is the capital of Sudan.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee