Custom Cut stays on strongly to score

Custom Cut (11/4) enjoyed his trip over to Leopardstown from Yorkshire as he made the best way home in the Group Two Clipper Logistics Boomerang Stakes over a mile.

He broke well to lead but was soon second to Sir Isaac Newton after about a furlong of this mile contest.

He travelled strongly and led off the home bend. In the final quarter of a mile he stayed on to good effect for Danny Tudhope.

Fellow British raider Top Notch Tonto (4/1) tried to haul him in and closed to within a length and three parts at the line.

Winning jockey Danny Tudhope said: "He's a consistent sort, he goes on any ground. There were no worries today about the ground. He's very versatile the way you ride him. Joseph went off quick and that probably suited my horse really well.

"Turning in I still had a double handful and he picked up well and won well. He ran all the way to the line. He's very consistent at this level. He's a tough horse. All he wants to do is please you."

David O'Meara 's assistant trainer Jason Kelly said: "It was a great performance. He's a tough little horse. He came here and won a Desmond Stakes last year. This race cut up and it was a small field.

"He often dictates but we were happy when the O'Brien horse went on and he gave him a nice lead.

"We had a great year with him last year when he won five in a row. He's won seven now for us and that's his best so far. Hopefully there is more to come."

On Amazing Maria who was seventh in the Matron Stakes, he added: "She was a little disappointing and has had a long hard season. The ground was maybe a bit tackier than her last three runs.

"We'll take her home and she how she is before deciding where she goes next."

Custom Cut won the Group Three Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown in August 2014.

The Stewards interviewed C.D. Hayes, rider of Top Notch Tonto, concerning his use of the whip in this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f), in that he used the whip with excessive force and having considered his record, suspended him for two race days.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson