Kauto Grand Mogul (right) scores in good style under James Carroll© Photo Healy Racing
Kauto Grand Mogol a half-brother to five-time King George winner and racing legend Kauto Star, opened his account when justifying 2/1 favouritism in the four-year-olds’ bumper.
The Priolo gelding, who cost €20,000 as a yearling, made a promising debut at Punchestown last month and showed the benefit of that experience by going one better here.
James “Corky” Carroll drove him into the lead entering the straight, and stretched clear in the final furlong to beat Texas Tea (8/1) by six and a half lengths. Band Of Blood (5/2) was another two and three quarter lengths away in third, while the well-backed Green Hornet (14/1 to 6/1) set a steady pace before dropping away quite tamely in the straight.
Winning trainer Liz Doyle said, “That’s a relief. All he does at home is eat and sleep and it’s taken him this long to pick up the bridle. I told James to be positive and don’t be on the bridle turning in.
“There is a small chance that he could run in another bumper this season. He’s already jumped a fence, and we’re thrilled with his jumping.”
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
