Bras D’Or took a likeable step forward from his debut at Loughrea in the spring, as he returned to that Galway course for just his second-ever start in October and was only narrowly denied. Patiently ridden by Derek O’Connor in what was a steadily-run race that developed into quite a tactical affair, the pace did not increase until quite late on the final circuit. That put a particular emphasis on speed, with four contenders tightly grouped on the run to the home straight. This €55,000 store purchase, who is a sibling of two track winners, had five lengths to make up entering the home straight, but once straightening up he showed a really likeable attitude, finishing off the race best of all. Ultimately only going down by a neck at the hands of a €50,000 previously placed rival, it is worth noting that the three horses that finished behind him had been purchased for a combined sum in excess of €150,000 to indicate the quality of horses involved at the business end of this maiden.