Current Option is in front under Cian MacRedmond © Photo Healy Racing
The topweight Current Option (5/1) repeated last year’s victory in a very dramatic Irish Stallion Farms EBF 'Ahonoora' Handicap.
That drama commenced right from the start when well-fancied British challenger Stone Soldier pitched on leaving the stalls and unseated Oisin Orr.
The loose Stone Soldier went on to play a part in the closing stages, as the front-running Spanish Tenor and the winner turned for home with a break on their rivals.
Current Option was coming to challenge when knocked sideways by the loose horse a furlong out but, gathered up by 7lb claimer Cian MacRedmond, the Camelot gelding soon hit the front and went on.
In the final strides the other British raider On A Session (9/1) finished with a rattle but the winner held on by a diminishing half a length, with Spanish Tenor (28/1) the same distance back in third.
Tuesday’s big mile handicap winner Sirjack Thomas (6/1) came through for fourth to make it a 1-3-4 for winning trainer Ado McGuinness.
This was a third premier handicap, to go with a Listed race and a Group 3, that Current Option has won since joining present connections for 85,000 guineas out of William Haggas’ yard in 2019.
“I fancied him because I thought he was the class horse in the race,” said McGuinness.
“He ran a cracker last week in the Group 2 (fourth in the Minstrel Stakes at the Curragh) and I knew he was going to improve from it.
“He ran well the other night when Cian got blocked in. I love when you drop these Group horses back into handicaps like that. He's proved that he's a very good horse.
“They were travelling so well, they were running away the two of them, and I said 'they're going to have to sprout wings to catch them'.
“I know the hill takes a lot of getting but they were going that well and I was praying that they were going to kick.
“We had four in the first six (Laugh A Minute sixth) and I can't believe it.
“I'm delighted for all the lads again, they've been very good to me. They are over for the week and don't know when they are going to go home now after this!
“I felt sorry for Cian the other day because he was to ride Sirjack Thomas but when he was reserve I put him on Current Option.
“We were going to change but I said no because I thought this horse would win and I'm delighted for Cian that he's got another premier handicap.
“He's a very good kid and he's a very good lad to ride. He gave him a smashing ride.
“Of course we got a big scare up the hill with the loose horse but it worked out great.
“We'll probably go to the Listed race next week in Cork because he won't carry a penalty. We did it last year so if all goes well we'll do it again and then give him a break.”
The winning rider MacRedmond added: “It was only turning up the hill, when I was getting to Spanish Tenor, that I saw the loose horse on my outside.
“The horse was getting closer and closer to Spanish Tenor just when I wanted to make my move. I was trying to go for the gap between Spanish Tenor and the loose horse and the loose horse closed on me.
“I just switched him, basically rode him hands and heels, and he hit the line very hard. He's a super horse.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
