Evason beats Bel in a thriller

Evason gave the form of Racing Post Trophy entry Buonarroti a boost when coming out on top in an exciting finish to the Bet Online At thetote.com Maiden.

The Galileo colt was no match for the Ballydoyle juvenile on his debut at Tipperary earlier this month but appeared to learn plenty from that experience to go one better here under Kevin Manning.

Aidan O’Brien again provided the threat in the shape of 4/7 favourite Belisarius and the pair locked horns in a protracted battle inside the final furlong.

The photo-finish print showed that Evason (6/1 in the morning and backed from 5/1 into 4’s on track) had just prevailed by a nose.

The pair stretched five lengths clear of Asknotwhat in third, while the absence of Dunure Harbour (coughing) and Vector Force (temperature) reduced the field to just six runners.

Ger Flynn representing winning trainer Jim Bolger said, “Kevin said he’s a tough horse and he broke smart today. He dwelt the last day at Tipperary and was always out the back but came home well.

“Kevin said he travelled well today and handled the ground. He’s tough and he battled to the line. He could be a stakes horse for next year. It’s nice for the owner who had Galatee with us a few years ago that won the Blue Wind Stakes (in 2006).”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson