Hotel Wren

Hotel Wren put up a game performance to win the three-year-olds’ maiden at Leopardstown on Saturday. Smartly away from his outside draw, he quickly settled into a nice racing rhythm for Oisin Orr, in fourth position behind a decent pace that Janoobi set and one off the rail. He travelled well into the home straight and, when the leader kicked from the front, he picked up well to get out after him. He showed a really willing attitude to get up and collar the leader close home, with the pair of them finishing nicely clear of their rivals.

It was a fine performance by Noel Meade’s horse. The runner-up is well regarded and was well-backed, a Shadwell colt now with Ger Lyons, and he enjoyed a nice run through the race in front under Colin Keane. He wasn’t stopping either, Hotel Wren had to be strong and game to get past him. A half-brother to winners over distances from five furlongs to 10 and a half furlongs, the Dragon Pulse gelding ran well on his second and final run last season as a juvenile to finish second to another Ger Lyons horse in Pirate Jenny in a six-furlong maiden at Cork. He appeared to appreciate the step up to a mile here, and he could get even further on this evidence. He has a really nice, willing attitude, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next.
Leopardstown, 2^nd April 2022