Ground proves just right for Levanto

On a good afternoon for punters, Levanto was another to hit the Curragh bookmakers hard when just holding on in a desperate finish to the TRM Invest In Calphormin Handicap.

The 3/1 favourite, supported on track from 9/2, travelled like a dream for Johnny Murtagh to cruise alongside the pace-setting Mourani early in the straight.

However she drifted left when coming under pressure and just had enough in reserve to hold the strong late challenge of Zarkiyr (6/1) by a short-head. Plinth (4/1) was a further length and a half adrift in third in this mile and a half event.

Gary Davies, travelling head man to successful trainer Willie Mullins, said “The ground made a big difference compared to what she ran on at Killarney last time. She travelled really well for Johnny, and just held on at the finish.

“It was a very good effort against a field of colts.”