Wait claims dramatic Curragh prize

Paul Blockley’s Wait Watcher passed the post first in the 500,000 Shelbourne Hotel Goffs Fillies’ Five Hundred at the Curragh on Ryder Cup Raceday.

Ridden by Tadg O’Shea, the 20-1 chance joined the field at the head of affairs with two furlongs to run and became embroiled in a protracted battle for the lead with the Barry Hills-trained favourite Silk Blossom.

Wait Watcher was half a length to the good when O’Shea switched his whip into his right hand and his mount drifted into Michael Hills on the 9-4 shot.

Hills had to switch his mount and challenge down the outside but they had lost all momentum and crossed the line a length and a quarter in arrears, although a stewards’ enquiry was immediately called.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Cliche ran on to claim third.