Rayeni scraps to Curragh glory

Rayeni showed reservoirs of stamina to claim Listed honours in the Go Racing In Kildare Festival Waterford Testimonial Stakes at the Curragh today.

The John Oxx-trained chestnut gained a discernible lead at the one-furlong pole, but was hauled back by Luisant on the dash to the line.

Although that rival was fleetingly nudged into a slender advantage by Willie Supple, Mick Kinane was in an uncompromising mood.

The 5-4 favourite, owned by the Aga Khan, galloped strongly when pressed by Luisant to bag first place by a neck.

Genki, trained by Roger Charlton, was third.

Aidan O'Brien's Lady Lupus (9-2) dug deep for Johnny Murtagh to deny Atasari an all-the-way win in the Lanwades And Staffordstown Studs Stakes.

Settled in second in the early exchanges, Lady Lupus looked a beaten filly at the two-furlong pole, but the Jim Bolger-trained long-time leader started to tread water.

Murtagh was all out to get his mount into the lead, but she responded well inside the distance to secure Listed honours by three-quarters of a length.

Akdarena stuck on from the rear to take third.

O'Brien said: "She is a tough staying filly, and it was maybe a bit unfair to run her back so quick.

"Johnny said she is still very green and she was pulling up in front, but I think she could be a smart filly for next year.

"She is very tough."