Aidan O'Brien produced his 22nd individual juvenile winner of the season when Daddy Longlegs came from off the pace to make a successful debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Gowran Park this evening.
The chestnut son of Scat Daddy attracted some support from 10/1 into 7/1, and the confidence certainly wasn't misplaced as Joseph O'Brien's mount came with a sustained run on the outside.
The Michael Tabor-owned colt only headed the front-running Outback (33/1) in the final 100 yards before going on to win by a length and a half. Leatherwood (10/1) was the same distance back in third, while 2/1 favourite Qatar's Pearl held every chance in the straight finishing fifth just ahead of the well-backed Fastidious (4/1-11/4).
The winner was withdrawn at the start when scheduled to make his debut at Leopardstown last Thursday as Joseph O'Brien explained. “He went into the stalls grand the last day but just got a fright from another horse and got his leg caught in the stalls. He was grand when we brought him home, and did it well today.”
Incidentally this race was won last year by O'Brien's subsequent Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach.
Alan Magee
