Sons And Lovers prevails in Ballyroan battle 

The Group 3 Bahrain Turf Club Desmond Stakes went for export for the first time since 2014 as the Jack Channon-trained Johan made all 

DIGGING DEEP: Sons And Lovers and Dylan Browne McMonagle, right, win the Group 3 Tote Ballyroan Stakes from Crystal Black at Leopardstown on Thursday night.  Picture: Healy Racing 

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Sons And Lovers defeated last year’s winner Crystal Black after a tremendous duel for the Group 3 Tote Ballyroan Stakes in Leopardstown, second leg of a double for the trainer and jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle, who has regained the lead in the title-race.

Backed into 6-5 favourite, Sons And Lovers made the running, was joined by the runner-up early in the straight and the pair knuckled down for a battle, from which the Carriganog gelding emerged with a half-length to spare, and a similar distance to Siege Of Troy.