A Tantalising finish at the Curragh

Tantalising was there to be shot at in the last two furlongs, but Ronan Whelan drove her home in the mile and a half Irish Field Handicap at the Curragh.

Once Tantalising (4/1cf) had picked up the leader Beau Michael coming to the two pole, it looked a long way home as Beach Of Falesa (5/1) moved smoothly into contention.

However, this filly found little when asked for more in the final furlong and it was left to Fantasy King to provide a more stern challenge, thundering home under Fran Berry for second beaten a neck at 10/1.

Winning trainer Patrick Prendergast said: “I’m delighted with that. She picked up a lot of cheques last year as she was placed a lot. I was wondering was she ever going to get her head in front.

“She was working well, but I was a bit concerned about her being ready as she was heavier on the scales, but she’s more of a mare this year rather than a filly.

“She’s by Saddlers Wells so she’ll make a nice broodmare. We’ll have to try and get some Blacktype as it would make her very valuable. Her attitude might get her there and we’ll see what rating she gets.

“She doesn’t have the toe for a mile and a quarter as she has got older. She wants between a mile and a half and two miles.”

Tantalising landed quite a touch from 10/1 in the morning down to 7/1. She opened at 5s on course before being returned 4/1 co favourite of three.

The winner gave jockey Ronan Whelan a 129/1 double on the day after the earlier success of Custom Cut (25/1) in the Gladness Stakes.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson