Air Pilot pips Success Days in a thriller

Air Pilot recorded his sixth career win, and third at Group 3 level, when just getting up to deny Success Days in the Dr Vincent O’Brien Centenary Alleged Stakes at Naas.

Shane Foley adopted customary front-running tactics aboard Success Days, who looked set to hold on heading inside the final furlong.

However Fran Berry got a great tune out of the eight-year-old Air Pilot to just snatch the spoils in the final strides. US Army Ranger could find no extra inside the final furlong to finish three and a quarter lengths back in third.

Ralph Beckett, “I think the last time I was here Klairon Davis was running over hurdles when I was with Arthur Moore. It’s a great track, and we imagined that it would suit him well.

“You can always rely on these old geldings to get you out of jail when things aren’t going great. He’s a great old campaigner, and probably has another day or two in him. This is his level, a Group 3 with soft ground.

“Hopefully Fran gets a clear run this year. He had a tough time of it last year. He’s riding really well and is a great team man. We are lucky to have him.”