Well-supported Eastern Rules at the Curragh

Eastern Rules followed up on his course and distance Derby weekend success, as he justified market confidence by taking the Boylesports.com Handicap under Shane Foley for Mick Halford.

The five-year-old gelded son of Golden Snake opened on-course at 6/1, but was backed into 4/1 favouritism at the off.

Given eight pounds for his recent success, he soon tracked the leaders before making good headway and hitting the front from under a furlong out.

He soon asserted, going on to score by two and a half lengths from Six Of Hearts who kept on well to take second at 14/1 under Fran Berry for Cecil Ross. Karamaya finished half a length back in third under Declan McDonogh for John Oxx at 10/1.

Mick Halford said afterwards: "He likes it here. He travelled well and the gaps appeared for him.

"I didn’t enter him for Galway as I didn’t think he would like it there and I didn’t want to be tempted to go.

"He is just a different horse this season and they went a nice gallop which helped."

Shane Foley added: "He won well and he actually surprised me a bit.

"The handicapper gave him eight pound for his last win and he was stepped up in class today.

"He worked well during the week. He loves that fast ground and to have horses to run at. He is an improver."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee