Son Of No Nay Never Not For Catching In Japan

Unicorn Lion (5c No Nay Never - Muravka, by High Chaparral) ran out a commanding winner of the Grade 3 Naruo Kinen at Chukyo, to provide No Nay Nay Never with his first Graded success in Japan.

The Yoshito Yahagi-trained entire made all of the running in the ten furlong contest and quickened clear turning for home under Ryusei Sakai. Eased down close home, the bay won by three and a half lengths, with another three parts of a length back to Grade 1 winner Blast Onepiece in third.

Owned by Lion Race Horse Co Ltd, Unicorn Lion was purchased by JS Company as a yearling for 850,000gns. Bred by Desert Star Phoenix, he is a half-brother to top-class two-year-old The Wow Signal (Starspangledbanner) and Listed winner Miss Infinity (Rock Of Gibraltar), who was also placed at Group 2 level.

The following day at Listowel, Metaphorical (3c No Nay Never - High Savannah, by High Chaparral) became the latest winner by his sire when landing the mile maiden under Wayne Lordan.

Racing close to the pace, Aidan O’Brien’s charge was ridden approaching the final furlong and ran on well to deny the favourite Emporio (Zoffany) by a head on the line. Owned by Derrick Smith, Mrs John Magnier and Michael Tabor, the son of No Nay Never was bred by Lynch Bages Ltd.