Clongowes battles on in the Curragh© Photo Healy Racing
Clongowes was game from the front at the Curragh as he landed his second race in six days, off a 7lb higher mark.
He was the Ulster Derby hero last Saturday and showed no ill effects from that outing as he ground the opposition down in the mile and a quarter handicap.
Kevin Manning, in the Godolphin silks, bounced the 5/2 favourite away smartly but he was off the bridle outside the two pole.
The son of New Approach was ridden in the final quarter of a mile and kept finding for Manning as the closers moved into position. Gold Spinner came at him strongly but couldn't reel him in. The two that finished best in the last 50 yards were Apparition (11/2) and Gino Severini (11/2) but they had to settle for second and third respectively, beaten half a length and a length by the winner.
Jim Bolger said: “He was very game. The drop back in trip was not an issue once there was plenty of pace, and he can provide his own pace. He’s tough, progressive and sound and Kevin said he was very strong at the line.”
Clongowes has got the winning feeling after four runner-up finishes in a row preceded the Down Royal victory.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
