Smart Debut Winner By Wings Of Eagles At Down Royal

The Stuart Crawford-trained Marlacoo (4g Wings Of Eagles – Sally Knox, by Mahler) shaped like a smart prospect when drawing clear to win Monday’s bumper at Down Royal.

Settled in midfield by Alex Harvey, the newcomer made headway from two furlongs out and ran on well to lead inside the final furlong. He was pushed out to beat the favourite by six lengths, with another four lengths back to the third horse.

Speaking after the race, the winning trainer said, “This horse did a very good bit of work last week with Yeshil (runner-up in the Goffs Defender Bumper at Punchestown). We have a couple of those Wings of Eagles and we liked them.”

Owned by WR Crawford and bred by Mrs Vera Deegan, Marlacoo hails from the first Irish crop of Beeches Stud sire Wings Of Eagles.