Success Days and Shane Foley lead Zafilani (Pat Smullen) and John F Kennedy (Ryan Moore) home© Photo Healy Racing
Shane Foley put it up to his two rivals from the get-go, in the Group 3 P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes, and that approach on 10/1 shot Success Days took him all the way to a four and a half length victory as '4s on' John F Kennedy disappointed in last.
Success Days obviously goes real well on this testing terrain and he had race fitness on his side by virtue of a Cork handicap win just over a week back.
From the three furlong pole it was apparent that the chasing John F Kennedy might struggle to bridge the gap to Success Days.
Held up last of the three, for the on-fire Weld/Smullen combination, Zafilani was soon putting out distress signals too.
Success Days may have drifted left to the far rail in the straight but that mattered little as he kept up the gallop to defeat Zafilani. There was six lengths back to John F Kennedy.
"Most of my horses have been castrated well before now as invariably they're are not good enough, and when they are not good enough they start to act up. He has a very level temperament and a very good attitude," said Condon.
"He won on his second start at 25/1 and it was a little unexpected. He keeps giving us nice surprises.
"He doesn't show a lot in the mornings at home but obviously relishes those conditions.
"We said we'd make use of him as he had the run under his belt and possibly had the edge in fitness.
"The other two were always going to want a lead and it worked out great. I'm delighted.
"He's in the Irish Guineas but has no other fancy entries. I think the Irish Derby is later closing now and that's something we could look at.
"I'm sure the favourite will come out and do great things in the summer but it was our day today.
"I think he'll get further. The dam was Albany placed but he has such a relaxed way of doing things.
"He got a little bit anxious in a Listed race here last year and we drew a line through that. He was good at Cork and here today.
"He wintered well. He had been training well in the spring and was better than he showed last year but he doesn't work like a Group horse at home. Sometimes those type of horses can improve and be very good."
Paddy Power go 6/1 (from 4s) about John F Kennedy for the Derby now, which has him in the same market-leading position as his stable companion Ol' Man River (from 8s).
Boylesports are 7/1 John F Kennedy from 4s, Zawraq (10/1 from 12/1) and Ol' Man River (7/1 from 8/1) for the Derby.
Betfair go 8/1 John F Kennedy from 7/2 for the Derby.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined John F Kennedy, trained by A.P.O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(GC & EM)
