No Nay Never Newcomer Earns Trip To Ascot

A trip to Ascot seems likely for Celtic Chieftain (2c No Nay Never – Southern Belle, by Aqlaam) after the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt made a smart debut at Navan on Saturday.

The bay was one of 16 to line-up for the five furlong maiden and raced in midfield in the early stages under Wayne Lordan. Travelling well with two furlongs left to race, he was ridden approaching the final furlong and produced a fine turn of foot to lead inside the final 110 yards. He was pushed out to beat the favourite by a neck, with another length and three quarters back to the third.

“He's a smart colt,” Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong commented. “He's a typical No Nay Never with loads of natural speed. Wayne thought he was still very green but once he grabbed a hold of him he really stretched to the line and there is plenty of improvement in him.”

Armstrong nominated the Windsor Castle Stakes as Celtic Chieftain’s possible Ascot aim. The son of No Nay Never is owned by Coolmore partners with Peter Brant, having been bought as a yearling for 450,000gns. It marked a fine profit on his foal price of 280,000gns, when he was bought by Saturday’s sponsors Lynn Lodge Stud from breeder Awbeg Stud.