India no match for Convergence

Convergence made all as he ran out a convincing winner of the Listed Coolmore Canford Cliffs Stakes, scoring under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons and owner Vincent Gaul.

The son of Cape Cross beat Vert De Grece to win his maiden at Leopardstown on his third start in June before finishing a close-up last of three in the Tyros Stakes again at Leopardstown last month.

Available at 15/2 this morning (before Tombelaine came out) he opened on-course at 7/2, the price at which he was returned.

All the money came for the Aidan O’Brien trained East India opening on-course at 1/4 before going off the clear 1/5 favourite.

However he could never land a blow and finished a well-beaten second as Convergence made all, keeping on well in the closing stages to score easily by five lengths

Shane Lyons, assistant trainer to his brother Ger, said afterwards: "He is a tough, tough horse and I thought Aidan's (East India) would have to be a Derby horse to beat him.

"I didn’t think he would do it like that but he has had to do it the hard way every day.

"I said to Aidan before the race that he is a real dogfighter and that he is a true professional.

"We are looking forward to when he runs in a real strong gallop where he sits in. I’m not sure what the plans are with him for the moment.

"It’s brilliant for Vincent and Geraldine (the owners), they bought him at the last sales of the year last year.

"They bought him on look as he looks like An Tadh (the first horse the Gaul’s had with Lyons), they might have to sack Ger as a bloodstock agent!

"He has gone on soft and good and today was the quickest that he has run on."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed Adrian O'Shea, rider of Dudes And Diamonds (GB), unplaced, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion Adrian O'Shea was in breach of Regulation 10 3 (f) in that he had used his whip with excessive frequency and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for one raceday.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes