Promising Starspangledbanner Colt Gains Maiden Victory

Alfred Tennyson (3c Starspangledbanner – Call Me Katie, by Kodiac) built on previous promise to get off the mark in Saturday’s seven-furlong maiden at Limerick.

Third in a Leopardstown maiden last season, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt was partnered by Jack Cleary when stepping up in trip at the weekend and raced prominently throughout. Asserting with two furlongs to race, the bay was ridden inside the final furlong and kept on to beat the favourite by two and a quarter lengths.

“The plan was to go forward with him and he seemed to enjoy doing that,” Cleary reported. “As we straightened up, I gave him a slap down the shoulder and he was really game to the line. He is a nice horse going forward.”

Owned by Coolmore partners, Alfred Tennyson was bought by Amanda Skiffington on behalf of MV Magnier as a yearling for 220,000gns.