Donnacha O Brien right © Photo Healy Racing
The Donnacha O'Brien-trained Naval Force dug deep to make a winning return to action in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 3YO Spring Series Median Auction Race at Roscommon.
The Churchill gelding didn't look at home around the tight bends in the ten furlong contest but knuckled down gamely in the closing stages to get the job done.
He was prominent throughout under Gavin Ryan but came under pressure turning for home.
The 9/4 shot gained a narrow lead passing the furlong pole and repelled the late challenge of Action Plan to secure a half length success.
“He was all over the shop. He's a big raw horse and he's never gone right-handed in his life so Gavin did well on him to be fair,” said O'Brien.
“I'd say he only really knew what he was doing in the last furlong so he should improve plenty for that. It's nice to get a win into him first time out.
“The two options are probably either to go up to stakes company for staying three-year-old races or we'll look at his rating and we could look at one of the mile-and-a-half three-year-old handicaps at Ascot. There are plenty of options for him.”
Naval Force had won on debut at Killarney last September before finishing fourth in Group 3 company at Leopardstown the following month.
