Night Moon bolts up ahead of a date at the sales

Night Moon relished the testing conditions to open his account with a facile victory in the Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap at Listowel and looks set to be sold for a jumping career.

The son of Sea The Moon was well-backed this morning from 14/1 into half those odds and further supported on track going off a 5/1 chance.

He made significant headway on the outer to lead approaching the straight in this 1m4f event before soon shooting clear.

Luke McAteer was looking around for non-existent dangers in the final furlong as the gelding galloped on strongly to beat Katonah by all of eight and a half lengths. Rough And Tough was a further length and a quarter away in third.

Marnane said, "We bought him as a yearling in Germany and while he was a slow-burner, is really improving now.

"He is part of a syndicate and is due to be sold at the end of his three-year-old career. He is in the Newmarket horses-in-training sale and will make a lovely jumper for somebody. He likes soft ground and while he didn't get 1m4f at the start of the year, is getting there now and stays the trip well.

"I think he is a good horse, is tailor-made for jumping and is from a good German staying family. He loves soft ground and has turned into a very professional horse. I don't think we'll get to run him again but I think there will be plenty of interest in him at Newmarket."

He added, "We had a nice bunch of two-year-olds under the one MRC International banner but in separate syndicates last year and while unfortunately (three year old) Lady Tilbury will be sold, they'll remain. Lady Tilbury has been brilliant and will get better next year.

"We have some nice two-year-olds and have already bought six or eight yearlings. The syndicate are from all over the world and if anyone wants to get involved, give us a shout."

Marnane was saddling his third winner in the space of nine days.

Quotes by Tom Weekes