Charlie Appleby completed a Guineas treble as his Newmarket runner-up Native Trail obliged favourite backers in the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
Last year’s champion two-year-old had to give best to his stablemate Coroebus in the first Classic of the summer on the Rowley Mile, but made no mistake this time around for Appleby, who also landed the Poule d’Essai des Poulains with Modern Games.
The 2-5 winner was settled in mid-division in early stages alongside Aidan O’Brien’s Ivy League and nearest market rival Buckaroo, but it was the Oasis Dream colt that responded best when called into action by big-race jockey William Buick.
As Wexford Native was taking over from long-time leader Malex, Buick was winding up his charge and hit the front heading into the final furlong of the contest.
Native Trail then showed a willing attitude to keep on gamely under his rider’s urgings and hold off fast-finishing duo New Energy (40-1) and fellow UK raider Imperial Fighter (28-1), who picked up well past beaten rivals in the closing stages to claim the podium spots.
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