Panama Hat is driven out by Chris Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
Panama Hat came from last to first under an inspired Chris Hayes ride as he landed the Listed Lenebane Stakes in the colours of Team Valour for trainer Andy Oliver.
Ninth in the early stages he dropped to rear and was pushed along when he raced wide off the bend past the stands.
The son of Medicean, who was fitted with blinkers for the first time, was continually pushed along in rear down the back straight and was still last turning in.
He made progress on the outer from two furlongs out and swept to the front inside the final 150 yards, keeping on dourly to score by a length. Altesse finished second at 4/1 under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger while Toe The Line was two lengths back in third at 16/1 under Fran Berry for John Kiely.
The winner opened on-course at 7/1 but was well-supported and went off a 5/1 chance. Bantry Bay was sent off the 7/4 favourite and he finished a disappointing seventh under Seamie Heffernan for Aidan O'Brien.
Andy Oliver said afterwards: "He disappointed at the Curragh and there was no reason for it so we decided to put the blinkers on. But, even though he's won, it seems the blinkers didn't work as Chris was hard at work as soon as they jumped out.
"Fair play to Chris as he knows the horse and didn't panic, and he really started to roll after they turned in. At least the ability is still there, we just may have to reconfigure the tactics."
STEWARDS REPORTS
J.A. Heffernan, rider of Bantry Bay, trained by A.P.O'Brien, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount was unable to go the pace when the race quickened off a slow early pace.
The Stewards requested a report from A. Oliver, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Panama Hat (GB), placed first, as compared with its previous run at the Curragh 28th June. A. Oliver reported that he had no known explanation for the below average performance the last day but made one alteration today by fitting a half cup blinker instead of the previously successful use of cheek pieces and believed that this may have contributed to his charge returning to form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the content of the report.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
