Hong Kong looks like it might be ahead now

Jim Bolger's decision to turn out Feach Ar Agaidh quickly after a most satisfactory debut at Gowran last Sunday, paid off nicely when the chestnut landed the Dublin Coach To The Curragh Races European Breeders Fund Maiden.

The Intense Focus three-year-old was a 20/1 stable second string when runner-up to Dermot Weld's experienced Leafcutter five days ago but there were no such fancy odds on offer on this occasion with Kevin Manning taking the reins.

Feach Ar Agaidh (7/2) displayed the benefit of the run when seeing off the nicely supported Ballydoyle hope, Blackstone (blinkers here having been tried in different head-gear before) and well-fancied John Oxx first-timer Rightway ,by four and a quarter lengths (asserted inside the final quarter mile) and half a length.

"I knew he had come on a good bit from Gowran. He did it well.

"He looks tailor-made for Hong Kong. He likes top of the ground and he has a nice turn of foot.

"He's only had the two runs. If he isn't sold there we might look at a handicap with him," reported Bolger.

G.F. Carroll, rider of Owen Philip , trained by John C. McConnell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount ran short of room close to the finish line and had to check.

(GC & EM)