Maneen

Maneen put up a good performance to win the 10-furlong handicap at The Curragh on Sunday.

Quickly into a nice position just behind the leaders and on the inside rail, Dermot Weld’s horse travelled well through his race in a nice even rhythm for Pat Smullen. Niggled along a little as they started the run down around the home turn, he found himself two lengths behind leader Newsman as they straightened up for home, but the pressure that the leader had exerted from the front stretched the field well out, with the result that Maneen could angle out easily with no horse on his outside disputing second place with him. Newsman kept on well, and it looked like he was holding Maneen as they raced to the final furlong and the second horse tended to hang in behind the leader. However, once Smullen got him out and going forward, he claimed Newsman with 200 yards to run, and he stayed on strongly to win by two lengths.

This was a good performance by the winner. The race was run at a good pace, the front two had it between them from the top of the home straight, they were nicely clear and the race was run in a good time, the fastest comparative time on the day, a dual Group 1 day. He should be able to go on from this now. It was just his second race this season and just his third race ever. He is highly progressive, and he retains lots of scope for further progression.

A son of Paco Boy, his first two runs were over a mile, but he stayed this 10-furlong trip well, and he shaped as if he could get a mile and a half. That all opens up lots of options for him now. The handicapper raised him 9lb to a mark of 98, but he won well and he has the potential to defy a hike of that magnitude, and he could be better than a handicapper. He has a nice attitude, he is improving with experience, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next.

22^nd May 2016