Juvenile Starspangledbanner Colt Off The Mark

Chicago Pope (2c Starspangledbanner - Moment Of Silence, by Slade Power) got off the mark when striking at Naas on Sunday.

The Johnny Murtagh-trained colt was opening his account at the fifth attempt and did so comfortably under Ben Coen. Chicago Pope was quick to break from the stalls and came home for a three-quarter-length strike. In third was Savile Row (by No Nay Never).

Murtagh said: “We were a little bit disappointed with him the last time in the Goffs Million. There were 30 runners and he was in a long time and missed the kick. You could put a line through the first half of the race, but he finished well.

“I thought dropping him back to six here, because he ran well here before, and put the cheekpieces on him.

“Ben said he pinged the gates and travelled really well. He got a bit lonely in front but always felt like he was holding them going to the line. He’ll be a nice sprinter next year.”

Chicago Pope was bred by Forenaghts Stud.