John Oxx recorded his fifth win since the turn of the century in the feature Listed, Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes, as his Zanughan overcame a layoff of 114 days to land the spoils under Johnny Murtagh.
The 3yo son of Azamour was the most inexperienced horse in the field with only three runs to his name before today. He was in fact the only colt in the field too with seven fillies lining up alongside two geldings.
Having finished third behind Markmanship in testing conditions at the Curragh back in April on his debut he then went on to win his maiden next time out at Navan at the prohibitive odds of 2/5.
On his last start he finished a disappointing fifth behind Recitial in the Group 2, Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown in early May when sent off the 9/2 second favourite. Spin for treble seeking Aidan O’Brien attempted to make all under Seamie Heffernan and tried to assert before the straight. However she was past inside the final furlong by Zanughan as he stayed on well to score by two lengths.
Spin kept on to take second at 4/1 while Address Unknown finished just a head back in third at 7/1.
The 3/1 favourite Steps To Freedom broke slowly from the stalls and never managed to get a blow in. He did however keep on well to take fourth.
Winning trainer John Oxx said afterwards: "He ran in the Derby Trial but things weren't right for him. He had a little issue that we had corrected. He should come on from this. He had a hard enough race today.
"He might go for the Finale Stakes at the Curragh next. He looked good on his debut but not after that."
When asked whether the winner would stay in training next year Oxx said: "I'll look to the accountants! They are always looking at the budget and the red figure! But sure that’s life."
Donal Murphy
