Hit The Bid (right) leads them home under Leigh Roche© Photo Healy Racing
The Darren Bunyan trained Hit The Bid sprang a 50/1 surprise in the Group 3 Jimmy O'Neill Irish Racing Excellence Curragh Stakes.
Sent off a well-backed 4/1 chance on his debut at Leopardstown in May, the son of Exceed And Excel disappointed there, finishing sixth behind Lundy.
He was seventh of nine in the Listed Marble Hill Stakes over the course and distance on his last start, and unsurprisingly he sent off an unconsidered 50/1 chance today.
Interestingly, before the race Bunyan reported to the Stewards that Hit The Bid had a wind op since his last run, and clearly that has had a positive effect on the bay colt.
Settled behind the leaders on the outer by Leigh Roche, he took closer order at the halfway stage, and led with over a furlong to race.
He soon came under pressure, and kept on well inside the final furlong, going on to score by half a length. Mur Hiba finished second under Kevin Manning for Michael O'Callaghan at 10/1, while Yulong Baobei was another half a length back in third under Shane Foley for Mick Halford at 9/4.
Yulong Baobei didn't have the clearest of runs in the final furlong, as the winner wandered around in front. A Stewards Enquiry was held after the race, but the result remained unchanged. Leo Minor was sent off the well-backed 2/1 favourite (9's last night and from 7/2 on-course) and he finished a disappointing last under Colm O'Donoghue for Aidan O'Brien.
Bunyan said afterwards: "We thought this lad was very good from day one. His first two runs were disappointing but we knew what was wrong, he had a slight wind issue, and we corrected that after the Marble Hill.
"Everything is ahead of him and we think he'll be a hell of a horse next year. That's as soft as he wants it. For a big horse he likes to flow along on good ground.
"We thought he was a minimum Group 3 horse and thought it was only right to let everyone know about the wind-op beforehand and know where we are with him.
"I put him in the Mill Reef at Newbury and anybody who had a look at the entries would have a fair idea what we thought of him.
"I'm delighted to win our first group race.
"I had him in the maiden here as well. The original plan was to go for the Round Tower, as I thought he might be a couple of bits of work short, but he did a bit of work the other morning and we were happy with it so decided to come here while the ground was some bit in his favour.
"We'll see how he comes out of this and the ground will be a big factor. If he comes out of it well he could go for the Round Tower or could wait for the Mill Reef."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the final furlong involving Hit The Bid (GB), ridden by L.F. Roche, placed first and Yulong Baobei, ridden by S. Foley, placed third, where it appeared that Yulong Baobei ran short of room and checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings. They were, however, of the opinion that the interference was caused by L.F. Roche riding carelessly and consequently they suspended him for 1 raceday having taken his previous record into consideration.
L.F. Roche, rider of Hit The Bid (GB) trained by D.J. Bunyan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung to the left in the closing stages of this race.
C. O'Donoghue, rider of Leo Minor (USA), trained by A.P.O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran short of room when delivering his challenge and was eased close to the finish.
The Stewards enquired into an incident about one furlong from the finish involving Sportsmanship (USA), ridden by D. O'Brien, placed fifth and Mur Hiba, ridden by K.J. Manning, placed second, where it appeared that Sportsmanship (USA) met with interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
