Empty Metaphor (left) holds Toughen Up © Photo Healy Racing
Empty Metaphor handed a mark of 87 after running well as a 100/1 outsider in the 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown, made all under Declan McDonogh in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden.
A second winner on the card for James Garfield, he was strongly challenged all the way down the straight by Toughen Up but just managed to fend off that rival by a head with Fort Vega only a further half a length away in third.
Claire O'Connell trains the winner who was easy to back all day before being returned 6/1.
Owner Riona Teggart, wife of retired jockey Andrew Lynch, said: "He ran a good race the last day when he blew up 100 yards from the line and Billy (Lee) said he'd go close the next day.
"We were a bit worried about the ground but he handled it well."
She added: "The 2,000 Guineas Trial usually cuts up so we thought he could run into prizemoney and took our chance. We had him as a breezer and he might now go to the horses-in-training sale at the Guineas meeting. We'll see what happens."
Quotes from Tom Weekes
