Midnight Fire strikes for the Hartys

All the action was stands’ side in the concluding Keadeen Hotel Handicap and Elanora made a bold bid from the front but had to give best in the final fifty yards to 10/3 favourite Midnight Fire

The Mayson gelding was winning for the third time and scored by three quarters of a length to give Declan McDonogh a first and last race double after Matilda Picotte in the opener.

Elanora was three quarters of a length behind at the line and it was half a length and a short head back to the other place-getters Inishmot Prince and Clara’s Approach.

Eddie and Patrick Harty have enjoyed success over jumps with their joint-licence but this was their first winner together on the Flat and they had gone close earlier when Queen's Pardon was beaten two head in the 7f fillies’ handicap.

Harty senior said: “He won at Leopardstown last year and was unlucky not to win the big handicap in Mallow as he was drawn on the far side and won his race by four lengths.

“He got jarred up after running at Fairyhouse and wasn’t the same horse for the rest of the year. He’s come back well this year and ran well at Leopardstown the last day.

“Six furlongs would be his minimum and even the extra 63 yards of the Anglesey would be a help.”

Quotes from Alan Magee