Breakthrough win for Der Mc under Leigh Roche

Seven of Pat Fahy’s previous eight runners had been placed, and he got a winner on the board in the concluding Paddy Power’s Missing Fans Handicap when 12/1 chance Der Mc forged three lengths clear of Misty Millie (4/1 jt fav) having travelled up well to lead over a furlong from home. Guido Reni (11/2) took third another length and a quarter away, while the other 4/1 jt fav Harvey Specter finished fifth.

A half-brother to the stablemate and five-time winner Stormy Belle, the Sir Prancealot 4-year-old had done most of his racing up to a mile prior to this year, but stepping up in trip seems to have unlocked a bit of improvement and a recent third place finish at Killarney gave notice that a breakthrough win wasn’t too far away.

Winning rider Leigh Roche, gaining his 8th victory of the campaign, said: "He loves that slow ground. They went a nice, good gallop the whole way and I dropped in and he settled very well today. He can be a bit keen, but he settled so well today.

"Two furlongs down I got there and everything in front of me was beaten. Colin Keane (on Misty Millie) was the danger just in front of me.

"Slower ground is the key to him when they go a good gallop and he can settle in behind.

"Today he did everything right and hopefully the handicapper won't crucify him, and he can pick up another race. He's genuine and he tries hard."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham