O'Brien shines on Tsar

Champion jockey Joseph O'Brien excelled on tricky customer Tsar Paul as he lunged late to land the Magners Light Handicap at Down Royal.

O'Brien settled his mount towards rear in the seven furlong contest and only made a move as they rounded the elbow a furlong-and-a-half out.

He found his road blocked at the furlong pole and had to dive through a gap 150 yards out. The eight-year-old stuck his head in front in the last 50 yards for a length success.

Blistering Dancer who had taken it up with under two to run, was the one that gave way to the winner and also lost second close home to Valley Queen

“He's been a frustrating horse but at the same time he's won three and been placed 13 times so he's certainly not the worst in the world,” said Nash.

“I would say 99 per cent of that was down to the ride he got. It's as good a ride as any of mine have ever got.

“Joseph has ridden him a few times and told me beforehand he was going to ride him like that and if the gaps came he'd win.”

(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)