Racing: Border Patrol confirmed his class with a feisty winning display in the Solonaway Stakes at the Curragh. Victory completed a four-timer for the Roger Charlton-trained colt, who preserved his immaculate seasonal record in some style.
The doughty three-year-old made a seamless transition from Listed to Group Three class in the expert hands of Kevin Manning.
Aidan O’Brien’s Poet made a resilient fist of things from the head of affairs, but Border Patrol (3-1) had all bases covered.
Despite having nudged into the lead inside the final 200 yards, the Selkirk colt still needed plenty of encouragement to repel Ballydoyle’s 2-1 favourite by a neck.
Zafisio, trained by Roger Curtis, finished another four lengths down in third.
Charlton, who narrowly missed out on Irish St Leger glory with Clowance on Saturday, said: “We’re delighted, we’ve always liked him and he’s progressed well.
“I think he’ll make a Group One horse in due course. The Lockinge is a serious target for us next year. We could also go to Longchamp Arc weekend next.
“Kevin said he was very happy with him and that when he got there a little bit too soon, he idled in front.”
It was also an excellent day for Fran Berry, who notched four winners at the Co Kildare circuit. He recorded his first success on Snaefell, who was sporting first-time blinkers, in the Group Three Irish Daily Mirror Renaissance Stakes.
Michael Halford’s five-year-old scooted clear of Girouette inside the final 500 yards to take the Group Three challenge with plenty up his sleeve.
Always close to the generous pace set by Danehill Destiny, the 8-1 shot had two and a half lengths in reserve of Girouette at the line.
Chris Wall’s Royal Rock, the 5-2 favourite, was disappointing.
Halford said: “He deserved his day, he has been a great servant to us all year. The pace of the race really suited him today.”
Berry doubled up 30 minutes later when Corcovada won the Listed Flame Of Tara EBF Stakes. The daughter of Captain Rio came with a wet sail at the death to deny Sense Of Purpose by a short head.
Trainer Eddie Harty said: “That was the plan and it’s great she got her black type now.”
There was no stopping Berry as the on-song pilot nailed the hat-trick aboard Silverhand in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF September Handicap.
Noel Meade’s lightly-raced five-year-old (6-1) had a length and a half in hand of Essex at the line.
Meade said: “The handicapper put in him at 90 after he won at Tramore and we thought that was bit high.
“He was in the English Cesarewitch but they didn’t handicap him, which might have been a pity. He seems better on the Flat than he is over jumps.
“He’s entered at Listowel, but he won’t run.”
Berry put the gloss on a memorable afternoon when Pax Soprana dead-heated with Final Flashback in the Anglesey Lodge Equine Hospital Handicap.
Apprentice jockey Darren Egan recorded his first success under Rules by steering Diva Dolce (8-1) to victory in the opening Go Racing At The Curragh Nursery Handicap.
The Kevin Prendergast-trained filly was prominent throughout and defied both inexperience and a late challenge by Della’Alba to stretch clear by half a length.
Prendergast said of Egan: “It’s great for the kid. He’s a very good worker and he’s very light too.”