Belle de Crecy is driven out by Johnny Murtagh, with Hot Snap (pink hat) back in second © Photo Healy Racing
Johnny Murtagh gained his biggest success since turning his hand to training when Belle De Crecy landed the Lanwades Stud Blandford Stakes at the Curragh.
The 16-1 shot was also partnered by Murtagh, who sat in close attendance as Shirocco Star blazed a trail and when that one began to back-pedal at the top of the straight, he set sail for home.< Hot Snap Pearl Of Africa and Purr Along went in pursuit, but the bird had flown and Belle De Crecy claimed Group Two honours by a length and three-quarters from Hot Snap, with Alive Alive Oh a big disappointment back in the field.< Russian Soul came out on top in a blanket finish to the Group Three Newbridge Grassroots Renaissance Stakes.
Always to the fore under Shane Foley, Mick Halford's 7-1 chance went toe to toe with market leader Artistic Jewel and Scream Blue Murder in the closing stages, with Farmleigh House also lunging late, and held on by a nose from the favourite.
Halford and Foley followed up when Irish Cambridgeshire runner-up Regulation went one better in the Irish Field Handicap as the 4-1 favourite.
There was a decent prize up for grabs in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Bold Lad" Sprint Handicap and it went the way of My Good Brother (6-1), who stuck to his guns along the rail under in-form claimer Colin Keane to see off Nero Emperor by a length.< Obliterator (9-1) is a half-brother to Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Just The Judge and showed plenty of the family talent by making a successful debut in the same Qatar Racing colours, quickening two and a half lengths clear of No Wunder in the Oxigen Environmental EBF (C & G) Maiden.
Nina Carberry brought Placere (8-1) with a well-timed challenge to take the Tipperary Crystal Amateur Derby (QR) Handicap, and Eighteen Summers (11-2) landed the Derek O'Sullivan Memorial Apprentice Handicap.
