Newcomer Leads Home 1-2 For Starspangledbanner

Joe Gargery (3g Starspangledbanner – Perfect Pursuit, by Pastoral Pursuits) shaped like a useful prospect when making a winning debut at Southwell on Tuesday evening.

The Kevin Ryan-trained newcomer faced ten rivals, two of them previous winners, in the novice stakes over seven furlongs. Positioned in midfield by Shane Gray, he began to make headway from two furlongs out and despite showing signs of inexperience, ran on well inside the final furlong. He led close home to beat long-time leader General Assembly (Starspangledbanner) by a neck.

Joe Gargery carries the colours of Brendan Holland, who bred the son of Starspangledbanner with John Cullinan.