Boru opens season with victory

Brian Boru got his four-year-old career off to a winning start in the Alleged Stakes at Leopardstown today, but he had to survive a stewards’ inquiry.

Last season’s Seabiscuit St Leger hero was always close behind the leaders under Jamie Spencer and never looked like being beaten despite dropping back in trip to a mile and a quarter.

The Sadler’s Wells colt was sent to the front inside the final two furlongs and came home three-quarters of a length clear of Napper Tandy, with Dawn Invasion filling third spot.

Brian Boru’s victory was not without incident, though, as the 1-2 shot cut across the path of Napper Tandy as Spencer went for the rail in the home straight. Mkuzi was squeezed up in the incident.

The stewards ruled that the interference had not affected the placings.