Saga Bolton toughs it out in Fairyhouse

Tony Mullins ran two horses in Fairyhouse's eight-runner claimer and it was his Saga Bolton who took the main prize.

The 7/2 shot had come home third in his previous effort in a claimer at Gowran Park. He had been unplaced in his two runs in maidens albeit not beaten far.

In this mile and a half contest he was ideally situated in third by Kevin Manning to stalk Shine On and the favourite Krissy's Kisses

He came there strongly in the centre to tackle the frontrunners with less than two furlongs left.

It was only in the closing stages though that he got on top as four horses held chances across the track.

Manning drove him home by half a length at 7/2. Krissy's Kisses, the 2/1 favourite, took second while it was a further half a length back to Cartographic (8/1).

Tony Mullins commented: "He idles a bit in front. He'll probably go hurdling now, he'll school anyway, that's as long as he's not claimed.

"Kevin thinks hurdling might suit him as it'll help him concentrate. He's not dishonest but he just watches everyone's business but his own."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson