Alamshar gets up to win thrilling Irish Derby

Alamshar got the better of hot favourite Dalakhani to give the Aga Khan a one-two in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh…

Alamshar got the better of hot favourite Dalakhani to give the Aga Khan a one-two in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh today.

The John Oxx-trained colt responded gamely to Johnny Murtagh's urgings to get the better of the French colt in a thrilling renewal of the race.

Alamshar, who overcame a late injury scare to make the line-up, was settled in sixth place as High Country, one of six Aidan O'Brien runners, set a strong pace, chased by his stable companion Handel.

Five furlongs out Handel went on followed by Dalakhani, the 4-7 favourite, with Alamshar taking closer order.

READ MORE

Approaching the two-furlong marker Christophe Soumillon sent the market leader to the front, but he was immediately pressed by Alamshar and after a protracted battle it was the latter who got on top close home to land the €736,600 first prize by half a length at 4-1.

O'Brien's Roosevelt kept on for third at 150-1.