A Boy Named Susie on song at The Curragh

Donnacha O’Brien’s charge showed his class.

A Boy Named Susie and Oisin Murphy win for owner Ana O'Brien and trainer Donnacha O'Brien.

Dropping from Group 1 company and sent off a red-hot favourite, A Boy Named Susie landed the Group 3 Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip Stakes with the minimum of fuss in the Curragh.

Donnacha O’Brien’s charge, runner-up to Constitution River in the ‘Eclipse’ last time, tracked front-runner Charles Fort from the start and, when Oisin Murphy eased him alongside that rival early in the straight, the writing was on the wall.

Having edged ahead two furlongs out, the 1/7 shot was soon in command and lengthened impressively when asked, drawing clear to triumph by five lengths, ending a lean spell for his trainer.

“I’m relieved – it was horrible to watch,” quipped the winning trainer, adding, “It was exactly what I wanted. He quickened up very well. 

“Oisin was very happy with him. He said he seem to be improving and gave him a good feel. 

“We feel that 10 furlongs is his trip. He has a nice turn of foot, which will suit Leopardstown. So, if he’s okay, he’ll head to the Irish Champion Stakes next.” 

And Murphy added, “He’s a beautiful colt and it felt very comfortable. It was a nice experience, a useful exercise for him.” 

Another rider on a flying visit home, Ross Ryan, made his trip worthwhile when partnering 13/8 favourite Armor Supreme to a cosy victory over Grayrobin in the listed William Hill Juvenile Sprint Stakes.

Owned by Team Valor and off the track since running well in the ‘Queen Mary’ at Royal Ascot, she was a first stakes winner for Curragh trainer Diego Dias, who said: “Rossa said she’s very brave and tried very hard for him. We gave her a break after Ascot and she’ll improve from this – there’s more to come. 

“She has a Group 3 entry in France and Rossa says there’s a Group 3 in Doncaster than might suit her. We’ll stick to five furlongs this year. And she could be a filly for a stakes race in America.” 

The Joseph O’Brien-trained Zarak Pasha, runner-up in Galway last time, went one better in the nine-furlong Velo Irish EBF 2-Y-0 Maiden, mastering Thomas Chippendale inside the final furlong before holding his promising debutant stable-companion Dancinginthecity by a half-length, prompting winning rider Dylan Browne McMonagle to explain, “He had a very solid run in Galway, when he was caught flat-footed by came home well. 

“Up a furlong, on a big track, was going to suit him. Wayne’s horse was very raw, but I wanted to use him as a target. He quickened well and had a good look when he hit the front. He’s a nice horse and should keep progressing. He’s sharpening up with racing, but will have no problem stepping-up in trip in time.” 

A €3,000 purchase, the Andy Oliver-trained Fighting Tears (Ronan Whelan) , backed from big prices in the morning to 11/2, swooped late to deny 50/1 shot Roeillaun in the Irish EBF Median Sires Series 2-Y-0 Maiden.

Oliver commented: “She’s very nice and has always shown us plenty of ability. We never over-prep them for their first run, but we were hopeful. I think she’s in the ‘Round Tower’ here (August 29). But she hit the line strong, so we have the option of stepping her up in trip."

Handicap debutant Howlin Wolf recorded a smooth success, under James Ryan, in the six-furlong nursery. “He’s a quirky sort and was always going to take a few runs,” said winning trainer/breeder Jack Davison, “He got the rail and picked up well. We’ll look forward to the ‘Birdcatcher’ with him now.” 

Apprentice Orla Tynan made all on Jack Foley’s filly Liberation Date in the Tote Handicap, setting a strong pace and finding plenty to hold favourite Thyer by a half-length. The winner will try her luck in a premier handicap next.

Martin Hassett described Harry’s Hill as a ‘legend’ after the eight-year-old, ridden by Paddy Harnett, registered his tenth success, in the Bet With TOTE Handicap.

“When he’s on song, he’s on song and I told Paddy he was bouncing,” said Hassett, ‘He’s a pure five-furlong horse and will go to Bellewstown next week.” And Adam Caffrey produced Comfort Line, trained by Ado McGuinness, with a whirlwind finish to foil Avec Grand Plaisir by a neck in a blanket-finish to the Melbourne Cup Carnival Handicap.