The grey Imposing Supreme strikes the front © Photo Healy Racing
The 2/1 favourite Imposing Supreme who got into the race as third reserve, landed the Ardilaun Hotel Handicap to gain his second win of the Festival.
The 5-year-old, who was 7lb ‘well-in’ under his mandatory penalty for Tuesday’s victory over a mile, took the drop in trip in his stride.
He tracked the leaders under Chris Hayes before being produced with a well-timed challenge to hit the front in the final furlong.
Half a length was the margin of victory over Fridtjof Nansen (17/2) with the front-running Mokhalad the same distance back in third.
Imposing Supreme is unbeaten in three starts at Ballybrit and, although a very consistent performer, has yet to get his head in front anywhere else thus far.
After his bumper winner Mr Saxobeat on Thursday, it was a third success of the week for winning trainer Tom Gibney who remarked: “That's brilliant. Getting in was the hard part. He came out of Tuesday's race as well as I've ever seen him and gave us huge confidence for today.
“Chris gave him a great ride, it panned out lovely and you couldn't ask for any more.
“The mile looks to be the job done with him but he was grand there and did what he had to do.
“It's great that it's coming together for him now at this stage of the game. We were very disappointed with him last year when we thought we'd do well.
“There were horses that were racing around him as a three-year-old that went on and did very well.
“We had high expectations but he just didn't go forward like we thought he would. He seems to be doing it this year for some reason and we are delighted.
“The handicapper went to town on him after Tuesday and it seems a bit exaggerated to me but sure it was great to get that anyway.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
