Experiment pays a dividend for Oxx

With Sheberghan (off-feed) out of the Toals.com Bookmakers Rated Race, we had a three horse finale at Fairyhouse. An exciting spectacle was still served up with Night Of Power (Colm O'Donoghue in the plate) coming out on top.

John Oxx 's Night Of Power hit the front over a furlong out and though pace-setter Cartwright tried to come again, he lost out by three parts of a length at the finish.

"We ran him as a bit of an experiment to see if he would get the mile-and-a-half," said Oxx.

"He's been doing well at shorter and shows plenty of pace at home but he got the trip well and it suited him. The sire had plenty of stamina so we expected him to stay but weren't sure he would.

"It was a nice race to start him off at a mile-and-a-half and it worked out well. He quickened up well and loves the fast ground. He's pretty adaptable from a mile-and-a-quarter to a mile-and-a-half.

"It's grand, he's won three races now and has been a good horse for us. He's more settled in the hood and is not pulling. He was a bit keen at the Curragh two starts ago and we've put the hood on since then.

"He's doing things the right way round now. I'm not sure where he'll go yet, we'll have to see what mark he gets."

(GC & EM)