Exciting Juvenile Completes Smart Double For Wootton Bassett

Italy (2c Wootton Bassett – Bound, by Galileo) emerged as an exciting prospect when overcoming inexperience to win Friday’s seven-furlong maiden at Leopardstown.

Aidan O’Brien’s newcomer was sent off a short-priced favourite under Wayne Lordan and raced green in the early stages, before racing in touch with the leaders. Pushed along two furlongs from home, he was ridden to chase down clear leader Thesecretadversary (St Mark’s Basilica) and led close home to score by three parts of a length. The front pair finished four and a half lengths clear of the rest of the field.

O’Brien later commented: “He was never away before so he would have been very green, and they went a good gallop. He has a bit of quality and Wayne gave him a lovely ride. He taught him plenty and he will have learned a lot from that. He could come back here for the Tyros.”

Bred by Lordship Stud, the Wootton Bassett colt is owned by Coolmore partners with Peter Brant and Westerberg. His sire was responsible for another smart winner earlier that day at Newbury, where Montpellier (3g Wootton Bassett – Mabs Cross, by Dutch Art) made it two from two for James Ferguson and owner/breeder Qatar Racing.

Successful on debut last month, the well-related bay was sent off second-favourite to follow up in the novice stakes over seven furlongs. Racing in touch under Oisin Murphy, he improved to dispute from two furlongs out and ran on well to assert by a head on the line.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said: I was thrilled Montpellier showed natural progression from first run to second. He'd have learned plenty today. He had to fight a little bit, whereas first time he found it a lot easier.

“Carrying a penalty is no easy feat. He's definitely going to improve in time. His work at home has been pretty good, so I'm hopeful he can take another step forward.”