By Sean Cronin
1st-Newbury, £10,000, Mdn, 4-12, unraced 2yo, 5f 34yT, 1:04.98, sf.
HIGHLAND CHIEF (IRE) (c, 2, Gleneagles (Ire)">Gleneagles {Ire}–Pink Symphony {GB} {GSW-Ire & MSP-Eng, $186,684}, by Montjeu {Ire}) tracked the leaders in seventh after a mainly level break in this firsters' test. Nudged along approaching the final quarter-mile, the 16-1 chance quickened smartly to challenge passing the eighth pole and found plenty under mild urging in the closing stages to deny the persistent Separate (GB) (Cable Bay {Ire}) by an ultimately snug neck, becoming the first winner for his Coolmore Stud-based freshman (by Galileo {Ire}). He is the latest of four foals and third scorer out of G3 Give Thanks S. victress Pink Symphony (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}), herself kin to MGISP G3 Prestige S., G3 Nell Gwyn S. and GIII Modesty H. heroine Fantasia (GB) (Sadler's Wells) and to the dam of MGSW G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor Western Hymn (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}). The latter also won a conditions heat on this very card in 2014. The homebred bay's third dam is G1SW European champion Blue Duster (Danzig), herself a full-sister to G1SW sire Zieten. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $8,441. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
1ST-TIME STARTER. O/B-Mrs Fitri Hay (IRE); T-Paul Cole.
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