Smart Juvenile Winner For Starspangledbanner

The well-regarded Bright Stripes (2c Starspangledbanner - Dutch Rose, by Dutch Art) looks destined for bigger things after justifying short-priced favouritism in Thursday’s seven furlong maiden at Naas.

Andy Oliver’s charge made a promising debut in a Curragh maiden before finishing strongly to take third behind two previous winners in the valuable Ballyhane Stakes last month. Stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time on Thursday, he raced in touch under Billy Lee and improved to take a prominent position from two furlongs out. Ridden to lead inside the final furlong, he kept on well to win by a length from Aratayvo (Footstepsinthesand).

“He did it well,” the winning trainer later commented. “We've always liked him and I think he was unlucky in the Ballyhane, he was slowly away and was the best of the finishers. He's in the final of the auction series here and we'll also probably look at the Killavullan Stakes.”

Owned by Paul Hardy, the son of Starspangledbanner was bred by Diomed Bloodstock out of Dutch Rose, who has a yearling colt by Calyx.