Athenry impresses in the Challenge

Fields Of Athenry made all as he ran out an impressive winner of the Listed Challenge Stakes under Seamie Heffernan.

A decisive winner of a maiden at Dundalk in May the son of Galileo was sent off favourite in the Ulster Derby on his next start.

He looked the likely victor turning into the straight there but he was caught close home by Botany Bay and had to settle for second.

Available at 9/4 last night with Paddy Power the Aidan O'Brien trained colt opened on-course at 15/8 before going off the 7/4 joint-favourite.

Having raced in a clear lead he was given a breather down the back straight before kicking on again approaching the home turn.

He extended his advantage in the straight and was given just one crack of the whip as he came home ten lengths to the good. Silwana was the other joint-favourite and she finished second under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld while Drifting Mist was another two and a half lengths back in third.

Heffernan said afterwards: "He's been very impressive in all his runs this year. The high weight and inexperience just caught him out the last day. Joseph said he was ready for today.

"My plan was to jump out lay my hands down on his withers and let it happen. He was good today."

STEWARDS REPORT

W.M. Lordan, rider of Manndawi (FR), trained by Ed Dunlop (in GB), reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not stay the trip.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson