Hayes doubles up on Xenobia at Curragh

Chris Hayes booted home his second winner on the card as Xenobia stayed on best to land the seven-furlong handicap at the Curragh.

Local trainer Bill Farrell's three-year-old filly won her maiden at Leopardstown in June and made a successful transition to handicap company in this contest.

It was An Saighdiur who moved into an early lead and soon raced clear under Killian Leonard.

Hayes and Xenobia ran second and began to cut into the lead in the final quarter of a mile.

She always looked like she would reel in the leader who was treading water in the last furlong. She picked him off inside the final 150 yards and kept on well to score by three parts of a length.

Xenobia was popular at the track as support saw her price contract from 6/1 to 4/1 favourite.

Top-weight Texas Rock kept at it in second at 6/1 with Canary Row doing his best work in the latter stages in third at 11/2.

Bill Farrell said: "She is not straightforward but is learning. My son Samuel deserves all the credit and Chris said he couldn't get over how relaxed she was today.

"She is 16.3 and is growing through the summer. We'll take our time and let her grow into her frame. She's had a break and will come on for that. She'll be a very nice filly next year.

"That was a good test today and she is entitled to run in a Listed race now. She handled the ground."

Hayes' double paid 74/1 as his other winner was 14/1 shot My Silver Nails

Additional reporting by Alan Magee