The veteran Dorans Pride produced one of his best performances on the Flat to deny last year's winner, Tryphaena, a repeat success in the November Handicap at Leopardstown yesterday.
Despite Niall McCullagh putting up 4lb overweight, the 11-year-old foiled a gamble on Tryphaena to win the 28th race of his illustrious career.
"What can you say? He's a super horse and seems as good now as he was five years ago. This was a nice bit of work for next Saturday's Nicholson Champion Chase at Down Royal," said trainer Michael Hourigan.
Had the Down Royal meeting not been postponed for a week Dorans Pride would have been competing 24 hours previously in the featured chase against Looks Like Trouble and Florida Pearl, while the runner-up, Tryphaena, could have run over hurdles at that postponed fixture last Friday.
There is every chance now that Dorans Pride and Tryphaena will meet their jumping engagements there next weekend, but yesterday 10 to 1 chance Dorans Pride just proved a length too strong for his younger rival.
McCullagh only arrived back in Ireland a couple of hours before the final meeting of the Irish Flat season, having been in New York to ride Mouramara. The John Oxx-trained filly ran disappointingly in the Aqueduct race, which was switched from turf to dirt after heavy rain. The new champion jockey, Pat Smullen, who had ridden a winner in the United Arab Emirates less than 48 hours previously, also made the trip back home worthwhile as Vinnie Roe took the listed Eyrefield Stakes for his owner, film director Jim Sheridan.
"Jim couldn't be here today as he's making a movie in New York, but he heard the race on the phone and was delighted", said the successful trainer, Dermot Weld.
"That is my 84th flat winner this year and 80 for Pat. It has been a marvellous season for us, and Vinnie Roe is a tough colt which will be a Group horse next year," added Weld.
English apprentice Adrian Nicholls made a winning debut at Leopardstown when Factice Royal sprang a surprise in the Blackthorn Premier Nursery for the Kevin Prendergast stable.
The hot favourite Major Force, representing Weld and Smullen, was foiled in the listed Knockaire Stakes when the former Henry Cecil-trained On The Ridge produced the better turn of foot in the closing stages for apprentice rider Paul Scallan.
On The Ridge was bought for just 14,000 guineas at Newmarket sales recently by permit holder Luke Comer.
The son of Risk Me paid an instant dividend, for the seven-furlong race was worth £19,500 to the winner. The 16 to 1 chance got home by half a length from the favourite.
Michael Kinane sent favourite backers home happy when taking the finale, the Ravens Rock Handicap, easily on the 7 to 2 favourite, Albatros, from the Edward O'Grady stable.
