Victory for Watchable in Sprint Handicap at the Curragh
David O'Meara's Watchable clung on to victory in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund "Bold Lad" Sprint Handicap at the Curragh.
Third in the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and again in the International Stakes at the same track in July, the British raider dropped back to six furlongs for his first start in Ireland and was ridden positively from the off by Daniel Tudhope.
Having moved smoothly to the front a full three furlongs from home, he took a couple of lengths out of the field heading towards the final-furlong marker and looked set for a clear-cut victory.
However, Zalty kicked in the turbo in the closing stages and there was just a head in it at the line.
Forest Edge and Arctic Feeling finished third and fourth respectively in the opener on day two of the inaugural Irish Champions Weekend.
Tudhope said: "I was a bit concerned about the ground and I probably got there (the front) too soon, but he stuck it out well.
"He's been racing over seven furlongs and not quite getting home.
"He's still a bit green and I could hear the other horse coming, but I felt I'd just held on."
Epsom Oaks runner-up Tarfasha got back on the winning trail with a comprehensive victory in the Moyglare "Jewels" Blandford Stakes.
After finding only Taghrooda too strong on her Classic debut, Dermot Weld's filly disappointed when favourite for the Irish Oaks in July and was subsequently given a mid-season break.
Making her first appearance since, the daughter of Teofilo (11-10 favourite) was dropping in trip and class and moved sweetly throughout in the hands of Pat Smullen.
Ballydoyle pacemaker Shell House ensured an end-to-end gallop and kicked clear before the home turn.
Tarfasha quickly reeled her in, however, and galloped all the way to the line to take the Group Two prize by a length and three-quarters.
Chicquita made a perfectly satisfactory debut for Aidan O'Brien, on her first appearance since winning last year's Irish Oaks for French handler Alain de Royer-Dupre.
The four-year-old became the most expensive horse ever sold at auction in Ireland when going under the hammer for six million euros at Goffs last November and finished off her comeback race to good effect to fill the runner-up spot.
