First Emperor

First Emperor stayed on well on the far side to take fourth place in the one-mile-five-furlong maiden at Navan on Saturday, probably on the worst of the ground, to take fourth place behind Newfoundland. Snowfall’s brother ran out an impressive winner in the end, but there was a lot to like about the manner in which First Emperor stuck to his task. Last of the eight runners as they turned for home, Donnacha O’Brien’s horse travelled well to the three-furlong marker, and he picked up well when Gavin Ryan asked him to. He stayed on well all the way to the line and, while the Willie Mullins-trained newcomer Raving Royal finished off her race well on the near side to just deprive him of third place, he ran on willingly all the way to the line, going down by a total of just two and a half lengths.

This was First Emperor’s third run, and it was his best yet, the longest distance over which he has raced to date. A three-parts brother to Snow Lantern, winner of the Falmouth Stakes last year, he obviously stays further than his sister, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next. The handicapper has given him a rating of 82, and that is a more than workable mark. He holds an entry in the Ulster Derby at Down Royal a week from Saturday, and he will be of interest if he lines up in that.
Navan, 28^th May 2022