Kieren Fallon capped a great Festival meeting by partnering his first Budweiser Irish Derby winner as Hurricane Run justified odds of 4/5 in front of a modern day record attendance of 31,144 at the Curragh.
Fallon, top rider at the three day meeting with eight wins, completed a treble on the afternoon although he was made to work hard for the big race success as outsider Scorpion pushed him all the way.
Tragedy struck early in the race as Gypsy King broke a shoulder and Hurricane Run, purchased recently by Coolmore Stud but leased back for this race to original owner Dietrich Von Boetticher, was last entering the straight.
However he soon got into a challenging position, leading just inside the final furlong and was driven out to hold the renewed effort of Scorpion by 1/2L, with Shalapour keeping on onepaced 4L back in third.
Walk In The Park raced keenly before dropping out tamely in the straight, and was subsequently found to have a respiratory tract infection.
'He gives you a really good feel but is still a baby and didn't do much when we hit the front. He's probably a bit like his dad (Montjeu),' said a delighted Fallon afterwards.
Trainer Andre Fabre indicated that the colt is likely to be put away now for the autumn with the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the main target.
John Oxx was thrilled with the performance of Shalapour in third, 4L clear of Brahminy Kite in fourth, and he will probably step up in trip for the St Leger (Irish or English).
George Washington landed odds of 2/5 when supplying Aidan O'Brien with his 7th winner of the Railway Stakes but he still has some way to go before justifying 16/1 (from 20's) quotes for next years 2,000 Guineas.
The Danehill colt got the better of stablemate Amigoni by three quarters of a length, with Namaya running on well in the closing stages just a head further back in third.
'They only really raced for the last two furlongs and he was a bit keen for Kieren early on. He's entered in all the good races but we have yet to decide where to go next,' said O'Brien.
Mark Wallace, originally from Tipperary and now in his third year training in Newmarket, realised a long held ambition by recording his first Irish winner as Benbaun landed the Listed sprint.
Fallon's mount headed the trail-blazing Osterhase a furlong out and stayed on well to score by 1 1/2L, with Majestic Missile a length back in third.
'He pulled off a shoe when disappointing at York last time, and I wouldn't mind going back there to have a go at the Nunthorpe. He could run at Sandown next weekend while there is also a race in Italy,' said Wallace.
Cloone River is likely to bid for a second successive win in the Galway Hurdle next month after overcoming a near ten month lay-off to take the mile and a half Premier Handicap.
The nine-year-old gelding was produced with a perfectly timed challenge on the outer by Tadhg O'Shea, leading well inside the final furlong to beat Will He Rock by 1 1/2L.
The dual-purpose gelding has been sidelined with a pulled muscle on his off-hind, and trainer Paul Nolan deflected credit for the performance by paying tribute to his brother James and physio Liz Kent.
'He's got great gears for a horse of his age, and looks a picture when he gets the sun on his back. I'm leaning towards the Hurdle rather than the Plate, and we could also run Accordion Etoile,' said Nolan.
'He will have a break again over the winter and hopefully the plan is to take on Moscow Flyer in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham next March.'
Caradak took the Listed Celebration Stakes in fine style, stretching clear inside the final furlong for Fran Berry to beat Kings Point by 2L.
'He's been working really well and was very unlucky in running last time at Leopardstown. He's got a lovely temperment and needs fast ground,' said trainer John Oxx.
'We will probably drop back to seven furlongs now for the Minstrel Stakes even though I think he could be better at a mile or even a bit further.'
Berry doubled up in the two miles handicap when Anxious Moments landed the finale by a neck from Zeroberto in a blanket finish.
The Scurry Handicap proved a typically competitive renewal with Miss Sally (Rory Cleary) touching off Majestic Times by a neck.
'We decided to put her away for this after winning her maiden well at Navan. I was hoping that she could develop into Listed class, and this win confirms that,' said local trainer Michael Halford.
Tipperary trainer John Gleeson saddled his first winner at the Curragh when Deerpark led a furlong out under Chris Hayes to beat Best Side by 2 1/2L, with Only Make Believe (7/2f) slowly away before staying on into 7th.
Alan Magee
