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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Khartoum makes capital gains in Naas

Sun 16th May 2021, 14:38

Khartoum forges on for Ryan MooreKhartoum forges on for Ryan Moore
© Photo Healy Racing

Khartoum (7/2) was a decisive winner of the Naas Handicap over a mile for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore.

The Pioneerof The Nile colt made sustained progress on the rail racing into the final two furlongs, and was switched out to challenge Cosmic Vega approaching the final furlong.

He swept past that rival at the furlong marker and was soon ridden to assert. He powered home by two lengths from Visualisation (3/1). Laelaps (11/2) ran a notable race in third as he ploughed a lone furrow towards the stands' side.

O’Brien said: “He went to Newmarket and he was too fresh and did too much.

“He settled and quickened up well today. He won nicely.

“I always thought he wanted good ground but he won his maiden on soft ground Ryan said it is proper soft ground there today.”

Khartoum, who won his maiden at the Curragh in October, holds Classic entries in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Epsom Derby and Irish Derby.

This was his handicap debut after finishing unplaced in the Craven at Newmarket.

Khartoum is the capital of Sudan.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
7/2
Tote €3.30 €1.20
2nd
2L
3/1
€1.10
3rd
2.25L
11/2
€1.90
4th
1.5L
50/1
bf
shd
11/4Fav
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.