Lord Massusus

It was difficult to make ground from off the pace at The Curragh on Irish Derby weekend, and Lord Massusus did well to get as close as he did in the Listed Celebration Stakes on Sunday. Smartly away from his outside draw in stall nine, he is a keen-going sort and he was taken back early by Gary Carroll and settled in seventh place. Still keen as they raced down the far side, he travelled well into the home straight, but he was still seventh of the nine runners at that point, and it was always going to be difficult from there. He made a valiant effort. It took him a little while to get going and, still seventh as they raced inside the final furlong, he stayed on well down the outside to get up into fourth place, just over three lengths behind the winner Bold Discovery, who was prominent from flagfall. In two more strides he would have taken third place from Carrytheone.

It was another good performance from Joe Murphy’s horse, it was another step forward as he continues to progress. He had won four of his five races before this, improving from a handicap rating of 80 last September as a juvenile to his current rating of 102, and he deserved his shot in listed company. A winner over six and seven furlongs, this was just his second run over a mile and he saw it out well. He won a good nursery at Listowel last September on his only other run over the distance. He goes well on easy ground too. A fast-run race over seven furlongs or a mile suits him well, ideally with a little bit of cut in the ground. He is just a wholly likeable and progressive individual, and he will be of interest wherever he goes next. There could be a good prize in him in the autumn.
The Curragh, 2^nd July 2023