Serengeti makes it third time lucky

Serengeti proved best of the two Ballydoyle colts to open his account at the third time of asking in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Dundalk. First Wave was sent to post 5/4 favourite in the seven furlong contest having finished in front of his stablemate when the pair made their debuts at the Curragh earlier in the month.

It was Serengeti, who had been third at Leopardstown since that run, who fared best this time though.

Declan McDonogh sent the 2/1 shot to the front a furlong-and-a-half from home and he was always doing enough to record a length-and-a-quarter success.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: "They both had very good runs in the Curragh maiden behind Expanded who went on to finish second in the Dewhurst, so it was a fair form line.

"Declan loved him the first day he rode him in the Curragh and he was a real eye-catcher coming home. Wayne (Lordan) loved him again in Leopardstown and obviously finished behind another proper one, Twain, that won the Group 1 (Criterium International, Saint-Cloud).

"Wayne just felt the last day that the slower ground caught him out. He's a high cruiser and he can quicken and he's not short of pace.

"He's one to look forward to, along with the second horse, for next year.

"This horse could start off in a Guineas Trial - he's a fine, big horse.

"He jumped, he travelled, he was very comfortable and he quickened.

"Obviously, the second horse is held in very high regard and he's one to look forward to. He'll be a lovely maiden starting off next year.

"They are two smart colts."

(Quotes by Michael Graham)