Ballycorus battle goes to 'legend' Mutasarref

Mutasarref was made to pull out all the stops as he just prevailed in the feature at Leopardstown this evening, the Group 3 Boylesports Ballycorus Stakes.

Completing a double for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane, the Eleanora Kennedy-owned six-year-old was sent off a well-backed 5/4 favourite, having briefly touched 2/1 in early shows.

Settled behind the leaders, the 105-rated victor travelled best and improved to lead over a furlong from home.

However, he was soon strongly pressed by Special Wan (11/2) and after a great tussle inside the final furlong, just a head separated them at the line.

On what was her first start in the colours of Team Valor and Steven Rocco, the runner-up lost little in defeat and pulled four-lengths of Bright Stripes in third.

Coincidentally, the first and second also finished in that order when last seen in the Owenstown Stud Stakes at Naas last month, with subsequent Listed winner Tarawa in third.

"He's a legend. In his own grade around here he's brilliant," Lyons, who took the opener with Transcending commented.

"That's the one-two from Naas and I thought the filly was going to have him today but he's just a legend of a horse.

"Colin said he's back to what he was before his little nick.

"I think that's Eleanora's 19th winner since she came to Ireland, which is fantastic in a short space of time. You can't beat being lucky.

"Eleanora is invited over to Goodwood on Sussex Stakes day and the only race he's qualified for is the Sussex Stakes but I don't think that's the right thing to do with the horse, you'd be over-facing him.

"The secret to the horse is keeping him in his own company as he tries so hard. I run the horses where it suits them and Eleanora understands that.

"We'll pick our pots and aim for Champions Weekend and have a good day out here."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson