Moran Gra gets his big day in the sun

It's hard to believe that Moran Gra (2nd in this 2 years ago) is only six as he seems to have been around for a lot longer and nobody was begrudging the tough campaigner his big win as he landed the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Irish Cambridgeshire under Ronan Whelan at the Curragh.

Previously a course and distance winner here in a big handicap in June 2011 (on Derby Day), Moran Gra beat Regulation by a length and three parts having taken over under a furlong out. Meanwhile the favourite Dance And Dance blew his chance when missing the start and he finished eleventh.

Successful handler Joanna Morgan explained: "We've actually had a bit of a problem with his feet and I have to thank the farrier, Mattie Smith.

"Even though he likes that fast ground the last couple of times he's been changing his legs on it.

"He's had cracked feet and he was just getting pinched so we got special shoes for him with rubber insoles.

"I knew he was in great form but you couldn't really gallop him on that ground to find out if the treatment had worked.

"I won this twice as a jockey, for Con Collins and Arthur Moore, and I'm delighted he's won it as he's such a pet.

"To be perfectly honest he's not really good enough for the Group and Listed races here and a mile is his trip.

"There's a race at Leopardstown for him over a mile and one but I don't think he'll get the trip.

"I might stick him in anyway as there's not much else for him.

"Ideally I'd love to go to California with him in the winter – the States would be the place for him.

"He loves fast ground over a mile and I think he'd win a stakes race over in the States."

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Francis Of Assisi (18th), trained by A P O’Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

F M Berry, rider of Anderiego (12th) trained by David O’Meara, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount didn’t handle the fast going today.

(GC & EM)