Numerian and Declan McDonoghh land the Devoy Stakes© Photo Healy Racing
8/15 fav Sir Dragonet had every chance racing towards the final furlong in the Listed Devoy Stakes, but seemed to get tired from that point as 15/2 chance Numerian raced past him for a two and three quarter lengths success. Halimi was a further three parts of a length away in third.
The Joseph O'Brien-trained winner, a gelded son of Holy Roman Emperor, was a little keen early on before settling behind the leaders from halfway. Despite getting bumped over a furlong out, Declan McDonogh’s mount picked up well to record a first Stakes victory.
Twice a winner at Dundalk, he had smart placed form in Premier Handicaps on turf last term before finishing with a narrow defeat in Group Three company back on the polytrack.
Assistant trainer Brendan Powell commented afterwards:
“It was a nice performance, he did it well.
“Declan said he was a little bit on it early on but they quickened up a long way out and he just sat and waited.
“He stays well and he's tough. He seems to have improved again and he's a fine big horse.
“I wouldn't have said it was his ideal ground but he galloped away and seems to go on most ground.
“It was a nice performance first time out and you'd think he can only improve from it. I think he'll improve in every way and hopefully he could turn into a nice group horse.
“He looks the finished article this year compared to last year.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
