Odds-on 'boil-over' as Tumu holds on

There was a real 'boil over' in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Median Auction Maiden at Navan today with 1/3 favourite Morga dramatically beaten a short head by 16/1 chance Roca Tumu

The long odds-on 'jolly' had made the running and with three furlongs to race, looked to be going best (matched at 1.14 on Betfair in-running) of the seven runners. At this point Roca Tumu, under Bill Lee, was waited with in rear but quickened to challenge two furlongs out.

At this point distress signals were appearing for Morga and Roca Tumu quickly moved to the front a furlong out. The winner soon went clear but, in a dramatic late twist, Morga rallied in the closing stages to get to within a short head of the winner at the wire.

Winning trainer Joanna Morgan wasn't entirely surprised by Roca Tumu's win but did later admit “I didn't really want to run him - he really wants fast ground, but the owners were insisting!

“He could be anything next year, given the right conditions as he is a very good horse and I've always thought a lot of him. He also had a runny nose about three weeks ago too!”

On course reporting by Alan Magee.