Hartani holds off charge of Offer Hartani made all to win the mile-and-a-half maiden but got a slight scare in the closing stages after looking set for an easy victory. Johnny Murtagh's mount appeared to have his rivals cooked turning for home and was coasting home from over a furlong out. Newcomer Offer (5/4 into 9/10f) started to motor inside the final furlong however, despite running green, and threw down a challenge. Murtagh had to get busy on Hartani and the Aga Khan grey pulled out enough to record a half-length victory. The 6/4 winner had shaped with promise on his debut at the Curragh last month. "I just wanted to make it exciting," joked Murtagh afterwards. 'Slim' O'Neill, assistant to trainer John Oxx, added:- "He came on from his first run and we'll see what the handicapper does now. "He probably wouldn't like fast ground but would like genuinely good ground. He'll get further but at the moment that trip is good for him. "The finish was a bit of a heart-stopper alright!" (GC & TW)
