Impressive Newcomer Leads Home 1-2 For Starspangledbanner

Charlemont (3c Starspangledbanner - Ostatnia, by Amadeus Wolf) lived up to expectations on debut when drawing clear in Saturday’s five furlong at Navan.

The Willie McCreery owned and trained newcomer was the subject of strong market support and gave backers little reason for concern, as he travelled strongly throughout under Billy Lee. Making his move with less than two furlongs to go, he led approaching the final furlong and kept on strongly to score by five lengths. Gobi Star (Starspangledbanner) completed a 1-2 for their in-form sire.

“A lovely start,” McCreery said after the race. “He’s a gorgeous big horse and we just had to take our time. He's by Starspangledbanner and he acts on better ground, he just loved that. He quickened up the hill well.”

Charlemont is the first foal bred by Ernst Kopica and Michael Rosenfeld out of Ostatnia, herself a half-sister to talented sprinter Osterhase.