18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Opera on top in Navan feature

Sat 13th May 2023, 16:47

Peking Opera (left) stays on best under Seamie HeffernanPeking Opera (left) stays on best under Seamie Heffernan
© Photo Healy Racing

Peking Opera justified favouritism in the feature at the Navan, the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes.

A winner on his second start at Leopardstown in October, the Aidan O'Brien trained Galileo colt was sent off the 5/2 market leader this afternoon, having briefly touched 4/1 earlier in the day.

Settled in fifth by Seamie Heffernan, he came with his challenge on the outer with a furlong and a half left to race.

In front inside the final 150 yards, he was half-a-length ahead of the Joseph O'Brien-trained Limerick winner Etna Rosso (9/2) at the line.

Less than two-and-a-half lengths separated the six-runner field.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said in the aftermath: "The form of his Leopardstown race over a mile has worked out well.

"He has done well over the winter and is a horse that is going to stay very well.

"This was a lovely race to start him off in and he is one to look forward to going forward over a staying trip.

"He could be one for something like the Queen's Vase over 1m6f at Ascot. You could bring him back a fraction to 1m4f.

"He has good options and he did well to win on seasonal debut."

When asked about the Derby entries, he replied: "He has (those entries) and it is an option for him. he is versatile between 1m4f and 1m6f."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.