Colin Keane rode his third winner of Irish Champions Weekend when 11/2 favourite Mr Lupton took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Bold Lad’ Premier Sprint Handicap at the Curragh.

From stall six Mr Lupton beat Blairmayne (box three), Lil Grey (drawn seven) and Laugh A Minute (from gate four).

The margins at the line were half a length, a short head and a neck.

Blairmayne got in as first reserve and bettered previous achievements in this event after finishing 13th in 2016, 3rd in 2017, 4th in 2018 and 5th last year.

Richard Fahey trains Mr Lupton at Musley Bank, Malton, North Yorkshire and Keane revealed: “Speaking to Richard this morning he said to keep it fairly simple, ideally get a lead, but wherever he is comfortable.

“He's a very straight-forward horse. On his last run he looked like a horse that was coming back to form.

“It couldn't have worked out any better. Billy (Lee on Royal Canford went along our side and he had something to aim at the whole way.

“Between the two and the one he quickened away again and he won like a horse that was coming back to himself.

“Myself and Rory (Cleary on Lil Grey) quickened up well and he was getting the better of him. He's probably getting a little bit lonely towards the line.”

Paddy Power go 12/1 from 20/1 about Mr Lupton for the Ayr Gold Cup.

Mr Lupton was of course adding to Curragh course and distance gains secured in the Group Two Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes in May 2019.

S. Foley, rider of Deidra trained by John Joseph Murphy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left from halfway.

(GC & EM)