Starspangledbanner Newcomer Impresses At Naas

Royal Ascot is on the agenda for Devious (2c Starspangledbanner - Federation, by Motivator) after Donnacha O’Brien’s charge produced an impressive debut performance at Naas.

The imposing chesnut was sent off favourite for the five furlong maiden and travelled strongly throughout under Gavin Ryan. Making headway two furlongs from home, he led approaching the final furlong and was pushed out to score by a comfortable two lengths.

The winning trainer backed up the impressive performance with his post-race commented, saying, “Devious shouldn't be that fast being that big and strong so I'd say he's a proper horse. I was thinking coming here today that we could look at the Coventry but showing the speed that he did we could look at the Norfolk maybe instead. We have nothing that can take him off the bridle at home, he's just natural.”

Donnacha O’Brien bought Devious as a yearling for 140,000gns and the colt now carries the colours of Atlantic Thoroughbreds. The exciting juvenile continues a fantastic run of smart maiden winners by Starspangledbanner.