Bashford earns plaudits on Forged In Fire

Forged In Fire was too tough for the odds-on-favourite Ferny Hollow in the bumper at Leopardstown.

Ferny Hollow led and travelled well turning for home but was challenged on his inner by Forged In Fire with two furlongs to go.

There was very little between the pair as they flashed past the furlong pole, but it was Forged In Fire who found that bit extra in the closing stages under 7lb-claimer Neil Bashford. This was Bashford's first racecourse success.

The winner took the honours by half a length at 9/1 from 8/13f Ferny Hollow.They had the race to themselves at the business end as Alko Rouge was some 17 lengths adrift in third at 16/1.

Joseph O'Brien said: “He won well. He's a tough horse, he was working nice but we thought he was a staying type of horse and that he'd come on a good bit from today.

“I'd say he's a good horse to stay and gallop. He's only a baby so he'll stick to bumpers this year and will be a nice jumper next year.

“He gave him a great ride and he was strong. He had to fight his corner in the last furlong. Neil has been with me for eight or ten months.

“He's only had a handful of rides for me. He gave the horse a great ride, he was strong and is good value for his claim.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson