Clongowes

Clongowes did well to finish second to Tocca D'Amore in the 10-furlong maiden at Naas on Sunday. Always prominent, Jim Bolger's colt hit the front on the far side on the run to the three-furlong pole, but he was run down inside the final furlong by the winner. He was beaten a total of six lengths by the winner in the end, but he kept on well to retain second place, nicely in front of the third-placed Belgravia.

Time may prove that there was no disgrace in getting beaten by Tocca D'Amore, an impeccably bred Moyglare Stud filly, a full-sister to Salsabil and a half-sister to Marju from that outstanding Kilcarn Stud family for whom Moyglare Stud went to €2 million. But Clongowes ran a big race in defeat. Significantly, he raced flush against the inside rail all the way up the home straight, on a day on which it was probably a significant advantage to race away from that rail. The winner here made her ground down the centre of the track, as did most of the other winners on the day, both on the straight track and in the home straight on the round track.

Third in two of his three runs last season and second in the other, this was Jim Bolger's colt's seasonal debut, and he should be able to build on it. He should be able to win his maiden without too much fuss now before moving forward.

9^th April 2017

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