Focus Required, near side, catches Out On Friday © Photo Healy Racing
Focus Required enjoys a spin around Foxrock and he was produced with a surging finish by Nathan Crosse to nail front-running Out On Friday
The latter was given an enterprising ride by Killian Leonard with the pair racing clear. They were still well in charge in the final quarter of a mile, but slow-starting Focus Required, representing owner/trainer Luke Comer, was beginning to find a higher gear in the pack.
The leader was cajoled along by Leonard in the final furlong and, although his stride pattern was shortening, he still held a healthy lead.
Focus Required stormed home, though, and caught the pair in the final strides to prevail by a neck at 11/1. This was his second career success.
The luckless Out On Friday was second at 22/1 with the remaining places occupied by Riccardi Medici (12/1) and Blackcastle Storm (13/2).
Assistant trainer Jim Gorman said: “He fly-leapt out of the gates, that's why he got left so far.
“He's as game as a pebble and once he started passing horses he just kept going. He likes it around here and that's twice he's won here now.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
