National Gallery leads home Half Nutz© Photo Healy Racing
Dylan Browne McMonagle quickly doubled-up at Limerick, as he guided National Gallery to an all the way win in the Regeneron Ireland Science Rated Race.
A winner at Dundalk in January, the Joseph O'Brien trained three-year-old was second and third on his most recent starts at the Curragh and Listowel respectively.
Sent off the 5/2 favourite this evening, the Caravaggio colt was a few lengths clear when ridden over a furlong from home and while his advantage was diminished in the closing stages, he held on well to prevail by half-a-length. Half Nutz (7/2 from 7s earlier) was the closer under Danny Sheehy for Johnny Murtagh, while Drombeg Duke (11/4) was another length and three parts back in third.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: "He is a grand horse and while they put the cheekpieces on him, he is genuine. He (Browne McMonagle) said there was no pace on so he left him bowl along and kicked on the bend and got two lengths, which probably won him the race.
"He said he wasn't quickening at the line but was galloping through it. He is a nice moving horse and stays that trip well."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards interviewed D.E. Sheehy, rider of Half Nutz, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who apologised for using his his whip above the permitted level. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were satisfied that D.E. Sheehy was in breach of R10.3(g)(frequency) and having considered his record, they cautioned him on this occasion.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
