Flirt a rare flat winner for Gigginstown

Flirt was a rare winner on level for national house powerhouse Gigginstown House Stud as she took the Belfast Live Nursery Handicap under Gary Halpin.

The David Wachman trained daughter of Duke Of Marmalade was second on her Nursery debut at the Curragh in July before disappointing at Gowran and Killarney respectively.

Sent off a 9/1 chance today she was settled behind the leader in second before she was ridden to lead from two furlongs out.

She was then head with a furlong to race but battled back gamely to regain the lead with 100 yards to race, keeping on well from there to win by three parts of a length. Fair Game (7/1), who hit the front with a furlong to race, had to settle for second under Fran Berry for Edward O'Grady while David Wachman also saddled the third, Fire Tree (14/1), who was a further two and a quarter lengths back under Connor King.

The Willie McCreery trained Hot To The Touch was sent off the 9/2 favourite and she was another two lengths back in fourth under Robbie Downey.

Gary Halpin said afterwards: "That was my first ride for Mr Wachman. She was good and quick out of the gates and travelled sweetly.

"She quickened into the straight and I thought she was home. She then sort of idled but battled gamely. She had plenty of experience and she should improve a bit.

"I have my first ride for Mr Weld later. He (Royal Ascot Trip) should run well.

"That's 10 for the season - nine in Ireland and one in England."

STEWARDS REPORTS

Caroline Murtagh, rider of Varrane trained by J.P. Murtagh, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that her mount hung to the right in running and could not get a clear run until close to the finish and stayed on well in the closing stages.

D.P. McDonogh, rider of Angelic Demon trained by John M. Oxx, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was checked about one furlong from the finish.

C.D. Hayes, rider of Ava trained by Kevin Prendergast, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount met with interference about one furlong from the finish.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham