Deer digs deep for Hayes

English Deer dug deep in the closing stages to repel the late charge of High Net Worth in the seven-furlong maiden at Down Royal this evening.

Erwhons World cut out the running but gave way to Danseur De Feu before the two furlong marker.

The Paul Deegan-trained English Deer soon claimed that rival but was all out inside the final furlong.

High Net Worth came with a strong run but just failed by half a length to peg back the winner as he kept on gamely under Chris Hayes.

English Deer, backed at 5/1 this morning and returned 7/2, was returning to seven furlongs having run well to finish third at the trip on his first start of the year at Gowran Park.

"We always thought a bit of him. His wind was catching him so he had a wind operation and this is his first run since then,” revealed Deegan.

“I don't have any big ambitions for him, but there could be a nice handicap in him. He idled a bit in front, but take nothing away from the second who could be a nice horse too.

“He ran well first time out in Dundalk but was drawn out 14 of 14. He wasn't finishing his races so we investigated a bit more and found the wind problem."

Wexford Opera and Tabaary were sent off the 10/3 joint-favourites. The former kept on from mid-divison to finish a moderate third while the other market leader faded, having chased the leaders, to finish eleventh.

(Additional reporting by Michael Graham)