Merisi Diamond holds on for fifth career win A four-time previous winner, Merisi Diamond recorded his first success since joining Thomas Coyle when landing the 1xBet.ie Supports Safe Gambling Handicap at the Curragh. Sent off 15/2 under Billy Lee, the David Brennan, J Tuite, Ms Joanna Morgan and Jeremy Greene owned gelding led 100 yards out. Strongly pressed by both Red Charlie and Lady Mary Heath close home, the seven-year-old held on for a head win. Coyle said:- “The three weeks probably just freshened him up. We ran him back three times quickly enough because we were afraid the ground might go on him. “He did a nice piece of work during the week. “Billy said the cheekpieces helped him in the middle of the race. He’s probably getting a little bit cuter with age. “He’s a good steady handicapper and you’d be hoping there might be another good pot in him someday. “It’ll be ground dependent. Today was the plan, we’ve nothing else in the calendar and we’ll see what the weather does. If it gets better he might go on a little break. “Joanna (Morgan) gave me the chance with the horse. She got hurt earlier in the year and rang me to go collect him in the field. “It’s brilliant because if I have any problems I give her a bell and there is great knowledge from her. I have to thank her for giving me the chance with him.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
