Major success for Carmody with Ursa

Tommy Carmody recorded a definite highlight of his training career as his Ursa Major (4/1) took the feature race at the Curragh today, the Group 3 Gain Horse Feeds Irish St Leger Trial Stakes.

Ridden for the first time by Fergal Lynch the son of Galileo got the better of the 5/6 favourite Hartani after a battle up the home straight.

Settled in rear by Lynch he closed up to track the leaders approaching the straight. He soon came to challenge Hartani, who hit the front in the early straight, and he stayed on best inside the final furlong to score by a length and three parts at the line with Hartani having to settle for second.

The front pair went twenty-three lengths clear of the third placed horse who was David Livingston for Aidan O’Brien and Seamie Heffernan at 4/1.

The Andrew Tinkler owned colt won his last two races comfortably at the Curragh over 1m 4f and stepped up to 1m 6f for the first time today he showed his staying qualities as he beat the John Oxx trained, Pat Smullen ridden hotpot.

Orla Murtagh, wife of Johnny Murtagh, said afterwards: "We are delighted with him and the ground suited him.

"We will speak to Andrew (owner Andrew Tinkler) now to see what way he will go as he is entered in the two Legers. He is our little star!"

(On-course reporting by Gary Carson)