Naas’s bumper on Sunday boasted some well-connected runners but one newcomer proved much too good for his blue-blooded rivals.
The Noel Meade-trained Red Jack (4g Mahler-Hollygrove Bonnie, by Lord Americo) took the lead a furlong out and went on to score by two and three-quarter lengths.
The son of Mahler, bred by J Conroy and carrying the colours of the trainer’s wife Derville, could now be for sale following this impressive victory.
“I thought he was quite good although we came we were fancying him really well but by the time it came around to the race, there were that many of them fancied I thought ‘Christ almighty!’,” said Noel Meade.
“He actually came out of the Derby Sale and it’s quite difficult to buy a horse in June, break him and have him back that quick but everything he’s done, he’s done very easy.
“He’s done a couple of pieces of work but he’s never really been taken off the bridle at home and he’s probably a very good horse. I’ll have to talk to the owner and I might have to convince her to sell!”