Diamond sparkles

Perugino Diamond, winner of the Galway Hurdle earlier this month, successfully reverted to the Flat to land the featured Noel…

Perugino Diamond, winner of the Galway Hurdle earlier this month, successfully reverted to the Flat to land the featured Noel M Griffin Memorial QR Handicap as the four-day Tramore Festival meeting drew to a close yesterday afternoon.

The four-year-old gelding was driven to the front over a furlong out by Pat Colville and was eased down in the closing stages to beat Aboriginal by four and a half lengths.

"Galway took nothing out of him and he will be aimed at the Guinness Gold Cup at Tralee next Wednesday," said permit-holder Seamus O'Farrell.

Barry Geraghty completed a 21 1/2 to 1 double when partnering the opening two maiden hurdle winners, Sockittothem and Kate Emily. Eddie Ahern was left red-faced after Sharavogue Cookie was headed in the final stride by Mutakarrim in the Commercial Refrigeration Maiden. The Charlie Swan-trained filly held a clear advantage throughout but was caught on the line, with Ahern, riding out with hands and heels, apparently not sensing the danger.