Top Prospect Makes An Impression
Just one run as a juvenile at the back of the year, Inisherin may have caught the eye on debut but he would certainly go into notebooks on his return to action. Impressing all the way, Inisherin took the Win £2,000,000 With BetMGM’s Golden Goals Novice Stakes at Newcastle in emphatic fashion.
Owned and bred by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, Inisherin is one of Shamardal’s last progeny with the star stallion passing away in 2022. Matched with the Group 1 winning mare, Ajman Princess, Inisherin has the pedigree to be a star but he has to prove it on the track.
There was never a rush with the colt and he was allowed the time to progress through his juvenile year. Inisherin is a beautiful physical but he did just need the time to really fill out into his frame, and when he did the home work began to show this. Starting his career at HQ, Inisherin showed early professionalism but narrowly went down to a far more experienced rival. The front two pulled a long way clear and Inisherin had been given a very easy, educational ride which solidified the promise shown.
Coming to hand early in the year is a positive but there will always be an issue of ground conditions if running on the turf. The good thing is the Newcastle offers plenty of 3yo races and the Tapeta surface is perfect for good moving horses. Inisherin headed north to take on 6 rivals. It looked a strong field and despite Inisherin going off odds on, he would have to be on his game to take the spoils.
Tom Eaves was took the ride and was positive form the outset. Inisherin jumped well and was allowed to use his stride as the colt swiftly move forward to take the lead. With his rivals happy to take a lead, Tom was able to set a fairly steady pace as they tracked over towards the stands side rail. Very little would change through the first half of the race and the market leaders were to the fore, headed by the favourite, Inisherin.
When the pace is sedate you always expect a mad dash with a sudden increase in tempo. Inisherin was allowed to stride out in front and smoothly took the field to the 3f marker. As they continued on towards the business end, the market leaders started to take control as they lined up for a crack at Inisherin. Tom had yet to see a rival and maintained his confident demeanour in the saddle.
Passing the 2f pole the lead had been cut but the difference was that Inisherin still travelled hard on the bridle. Sometimes this can be a false dawn but not for Inisherin. He held his rivals at bay with the minimum of fuss giving Tom the decision of when to go. Again inexperience can catch a horse out but Inisherin quickly dispelled those thoughts too. Moving into the final furlong, Tom gave the colt a squeeze and the response was immediate. The race was over in a couple of strides and the final furlong was a victory lap. Inisherin strode out to a comfortable 3 1/2 lengths win, doing so as he please and under the minimum of fuss.
You couldn’t have asked of anything more than what Inisherin did in his comeback. He travelled well, quickened up when asked and showed he had learnt from his first run. Obviously there will be bigger tasks for him but this did read a good novice on paper and he put his rivals in their place comfortably. Everyone is hoping their Cassy 3yo’s could potentially develop into a classic contender and Inisherin does hold those entries. He has done the first part well and now it may be worth looking towards a trial to test his credentials.