Digeanta is ridden out by Billy Lee© Photo Healy Racing
Champion National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins landed another big prize on the Flat when Digeanta (16-1) made every yard of the running in the Tote Cesarewitch at the Curragh.
The eight-year-old built up a good lead in the early exchanges but looked vulnerable when Western Boy cruised up to his quarters at the two furlong marker.< Guard Of Honour and Sea Pride were others to throw down their challenges but the hurdles winner has stamina reserves in spades and dug really deep, eventually holding on by three quarters of a length.< Best In The World has plenty to live up to given her name but displayed her fair share of guts and class when winning the Listed Staffordstown Stud Stakes.
The heavily-backed 4-6 favourite looked to be momentarily in trouble when old foe Rayisa kicked for home but the full-sister to Found responded well to Ryan Moore's urgings and came swooping by with a strong run.
However, Dolce Strega produced a powerful finish of her own and made the winner pull out plenty more in the closing stages, with only half a length separating the pair at the line.
Edward Lynam could have another top-class sprinter to go to war with next season after Fort Del Oro made a favourable impression when claiming Listed honours in the Waterford Testimonial Stakes For The Defence Forces Cup.
The 3-1 winner attracted plenty of support beforehand and was always travelling sweetly in the slipstream of the leaders before quickening up well once sent to the front by Billy Lee, who enjoyed a big-race double on the afternoon.< The Happy Prince came after her inside the final furlong but the Lope De Vega filly was much too good and came out on top by a length and a half.
The opening Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden saw Black Sea (5-6 fav) get off the mark with a likeable performance while Variable (5-2) got her career back on track when readily defeating Ebayya by three lengths in the concluding Go Racing In Kildare Finale Stakes (Listed).
