Mudaffar holds off Phangio in tight finish

The Kevin Prendergast trained Mudaffar just held off the challenge of Phangio to take the McHale Engineering 3yo Maiden with Declan McDonogh in the saddle.

The son of Red Ransom was sent off at 9/2 for the 1m 1f race after finishing just over two lengths sixth to Russian Soul at Down Royal last month on his second start.

He finished a well beaten thirteen of fifteen on his debut at the Curragh in March behind Amira's Prince.

The Hamdan Al Maktoum owned colt raced in second for much of the contest before improving to lead over two furlongs from home.

He was ridden entering the straight and kept on well in the final furlong under pressure.

The Philip Rothwell trained, Danny Mullins ridden Phangio then strongly pressed him close home but Mudaffar had done enough and just held on to win by a short head.

Backed from 14/1 this morning into 8/1 at the off, Phangio had to settle for second while Greatest who was 14/1 this morning with Paddy Powers before being backed all the way down to 5/1 at the off, finished a further length and three parts back in third for the double seeking pair of Niall McCullagh and Tommy Carmody.

After finishing a good second on his debut at Leopardstown, Massini's Trap was sent off the 7/4 favourite but he was well beaten turning into the straight and finished a disappointing fifth under Pat Smullen for James Nash.

Winning rider Declan McDonogh said afterwards: "He is a fine big horse and it takes a lot to get him fit. He wasn't in love with that gluey ground."

(On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)