Darren Bunyan saddled three of the eight runners for the Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden, and they finished first, second and fourth, with Buddy Batt coming out on top.

An eye-catching third on debut over the course and distance last month, the chestnut victor disappointed on his most recent start on soft ground at Cork.

Back on a sounder surface this evening, the Dragon Pulse gelding was sent off an 11/2 chance under Dean Curran (2lb overweight).

Settled behind the leaders and fourth halfway, he improved into third from the furlong pole and was ridden to the front inside the final 150 yards, going on to score comfortably by a length-and-a-half.

Returned the 11/10 favourite, Janzoor had to settle for second under Colin Keane, while Tai Tam Bay (9/2) was another length-and-a-half away in third.

After a slow start, Sovereign City ran on well to finish fourth, rounding off a memorable race for his Curragh based handler.

"All three are smart horses," said Bunyan.

"Sovereign City just didn't handle the undulations early and didn't get going until it was too late. Janzoor is a smart horse in the making and probably a little bit more juice in the ground wouldn't be any harm for him and a little bit more time too.

"On his homework Buddy Batt is very similar to the horse that was third in the Group 3 up the Curragh on Saturday for us (Chandigah). There isn't a whole lot between them at home and he's a smart horse this boy as well.

"We would have been disappointed if he didn't win to tell the truth. We knew all three would be competitive, that's why they came here.

"You'd have to be delighted with the three, we were only pipped for the one-two-three. Aidan (O'Brien) might be well used to it but we're not!

"Buddy Batt had track experience as well and that's a big thing, he had a few runs under his belt.

"We got down to Cork with him the last day and the ground was a swamp. We let him have the run to get a blow into him and he wasn't knocked around on the day. He's a good ground horse so we knew our fate before the race that day.

"We'll have a look and see what's coming up for him and see how he comes out of it.

"He's a very tough individual and whether he's racing or working all he does is eat, sleep and drink. He's a very straightforward horse. If he's not sold we'll see what rating he gets but I wouldn't be afraid of running him in a Listed race."

STEWARDS REPORTS

R.C. Colgan, rider of King Of The Bronx trained by Nigel Thomas Slevin, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly away.

Siobhan Rutledge, rider of Little Miss Peppi trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that her mount stumbled at the road crossing.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson