Hard fought success for Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway and Royal Diamond will lock horns again in the Irish St.Leger next month following a titanic battle in last night’s Group 3 Ballytroan Stakes in Leopardstown which saw the Ballydoyle colt prevail, with Jim Bolger’s three-year-old filly Scintillula a close and creditable third.

Last year’s Leger winner Royal Diamond dictated the pace under his trainer Johnny Murtagh before being challenged off the home-turn by both Ernest Hemingway and Scintillula.

A great battle developed, with Ernest Hemingway edging ahead inside the final furlong and battling to keep his two gallant rivals at bay by a half-length and the same.