Diamond shines brightest in Sligo finale

Arabian Diamond blitzed his rivals in the concluding Durkin Bros. Electrical INH Flat Race, coming home 19 lengths to the good under Harry Swan.

Second at Ballinrobe and Kilbeggan on his most recent starts, the Gordon Elliott-trained bay was sent off a 2/1 chance today, with newcomer Givago the 8/11 market leader.

Always towards the head of affairs, the Anne Marie McManus-owned victor established a definite lead with just under a circuit to race.

He readily extended his advantage with over two-furlongs to race and came home in splendid isolation, with the Dermot McLoughlin-trained Midleton Rare (33/1) faring the best of the rest.

There was a further four-and-three-parts of a length back to Lake Winnipesaukee (9/1) in third, while the aforementioned Givago could only manage a disappointing fourth under Patrick Mullins for this father Willie.

"I probably should have won on him the last day in Kilbeggan, I probably should have made a bit more use of him," Swan commented.

"I went out with that mindset today, to make as much use of him as I could and I'd say he didn't mind the dig in the ground either. I actually didn't know how far I was in front!

"He stays at it well. He's probably not a typical bumper horse. I think he'll improve a lot more from that and he'll be a lovely horse over hurdles."

STEWARDS REPORT

Mr P.W. Mullins, rider of Givago (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount made a respiratory noise from six furlongs out.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan