Zanughan makes winning return

OFF the track since disappointing in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown in May, the John Oxx-trained Zanughan made a successful return to action when landing the listed Ardilaun Hotel Oyster Stakes in Galway last night.

Ridden by Johnny Murtagh, the Azamour colt came from well off the pace and stayed on strongly to beat Spin by two lengths, with Address Unknown and slow-starting favourite Steps To Freedom close up in third and fourth respectively. It was Oxx’s third win in the race in five years.

A relieved Oxx explained: “We thought a lot of him in the spring but things didn’t go according to plan. He had a little issue that had to be sorted out and he has come on well in recent weeks.