Autumn Evening gains first Flat win

The 7/2 favourite Autumn Evening was a ready winner of the Friends Of The Curragh Pollardstown Handicap.

The Tamayuz gelding got into contention off the home turn and led travelling well two furlongs out. Harry's Legacy tried to cover the move but the winner soon asserted and Shane Foley was able to throttle down close home to beat that rival by two and a quarter lengths. Star Image was another four lengths away in third with Lord Erskine completing the frame.

Three times a winner over hurdles including last year's Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel, this was the five-year-old's first success on the level.

Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said: “He’s a lovely horse. He didn’t get into the big one (Cesarewitch) but maybe next year he’ll get into it. I don’t think the handicapper will miss him for that!

“They went quick and he travelled beautifully for Shane. It was very comfortable viewing.

“We were thinking of going over fences but I’m not sure what we will do now. There are some good Flat handicaps in Leopardstown and Naas so he’ll probably get entries in those.”

Quotes from Alan Magee