Our Scholar lands gamble on handicap debut

Our Scholar landed a gamble in the Kilberry Handicap, as he just got the better of Butterfly Garden

The Johnny Murtagh trained victor had shown very little on his previous four starts, beating just eight horses in total.

Available at 20/1 in early shows for this mile and six contest, the Exceed And Excel bay eventually went off at just 4/1, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time on what was his debut in handicap company.

Having led and disputed throughout, he was ridden into a definite lead from the two furlong pole, but was soon strongly pressed by Butterfly Garden.

Briefly headed by that rival inside the final furlong, he battled back gamely under Ben Coen and just prevailed at the line, with a nose the margin of victory.

The runner-up was also returned at 4/1 under Chris Hayes for Kevin Prendergast, while Gatito Rapido (5/1), who disputed the lead for much of the race, was four lengths back in third. Pale Moonlight was sent off the 10/3 favourite and he finished fifth.

"He's raw but gallops all day. He jumped out and travelled around well," Coen said.

“Billy (Lee, on Gatito Rapido) dropped away just before the two pole and my lad has pricked his two ears. He's still a big baby and still learning on the job.

"He stays very well and is one to look forward to. I think he'll get better with age as well."

Closely related to plenty of winners, he is most notably a half-brother to Patkai who was second to Yeats in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in 2009.

Bred by Tinakill Bloodstock, he is still owned by Meta Osbourne along with Syndicates Racing.

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards requested a report from J.P. Murtagh, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Our Scholar, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Denis Linehan, Authorised representative for J.P. Murtagh, reported that their change had been gelded since his last run, wore first time cheek pieces and raced over a longer distance today, these being contributing factors for the improved performance. Having considered the explanation the Stewards noted the content of the report.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee