By Tom Frary
Sunday's G1 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at The Curragh had a more open look to it than the betting suggested beforehand and that proved the case as the Joseph O'Brien-trained outsider Scorthy Champ (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}–Fidaaha {Ire}, by New Approach {Ire}) stepped up to earn the bragging rights. Third behind this race's favourite Henri Matisse (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on his second start over this course and seven-furlong trip in the G2 Futurity Stakes last month, the 12-1 shot who had won on debut at Leopardstown in May raced on the wing halfway down the field throughout the early stages.
Sent forward by Dylan Browne McMonagle to reel in the British raider Seagulls Eleven (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) approaching the furlong pole, the flashy chestnut who races for Rectory Road Holdings Limited, Barry Fowler and Anne Marie O'Brien stayed on to score by 3/4 of a length from the 5-6 market-leader Henri Matisse, with Seagulls Eleven the same margin behind in third.
Revenge π¨πͺ
πππ¨π«ππ‘π² ππ‘ππ¦π© reverses Futurity Stakes form with Henri Matisse to land the Group 1 @Goffs1866 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes.@JosephOBrien2 | @DylanBrowneMcM pic.twitter.com/tw4KwCRpbh
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 15, 2024
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