Blair provides Lupini with second success

Natalia Lupini recorded her second success in the training ranks, as her Blairmayne landed the Coral.ie Bet 5 Get 20 In Free Bets Handicap under Kieren Fallon for the Raintree Racing Partnership.

Lupini, who registered her first success with Alnahar at Dundalk in January, is originally from Milan and trains in the village of Scarva on the Armagh, Down border.

Blairmayne, who is a three-year-old son of Zebedee, wasn't beaten far on a couple of occasions last year. He was a good fourth to Elusive In Paris on his last start at Dundalk in April, and he was sent off an 8/1 chance this evening.

Settled behind the leaders on the outer, he was sixth entering the straight. He improved into third from two furlongs out, and he swept through to lead with over a furlong to race, keeping on well under pressure from there to score by two and a quarter lengths. Three Majors was sent off the 3/1 favourite and he finished second under Ronan Whelan for Paul Deegan, while Pillar (20/1) was a short head back in third under Colm O'Donoghue for Adrian McGuinness. Jaguar Paw (7's to 6's on-course) completed the placings a further length and a quarter back in fourth under Colin Keane for David Christie.

Lupini said afterwards: "I'm very pleased with him. Kieren gave him a great ride from the draw as we were a bit concerned about it. We thought a good jockey could defeat a bad draw.

"He's in again over six furlongs next week and we'll see what the handicapper thinks.

"He seems in good form and has been working very well at home. Hopefully he'll run again next week, we'll see how he comes out of the race."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson