Formal wins as Gold falters

Green to Gold was all the rage with punters for the 'Kila & Paddy Casey' Apprentice Handicap, with Sunday's Bellewstown scorer going off the Even money favourite. However things didn't go according to plan as Formal Bid took the spoils for trainer Charles O'Brien & jockey Ray Dawson.

In first time cheekpieces, the winning son of Oratorio was held up towards the rear but closed in on the leaders entering the straight. He was fourth a furlong out but kept on well under pressure to lead close home winning by half a length at the line.

The outsider of the field Mobane Ali at 25/1 led from the entrance to the straight but was caught close home by the winner. The 9/4 second favourite Lady Bennett was a further half a length back in third.

No excuses could be made for the favourite who had his chance but just didn't find the gears to go and win. He finished a disappointing fourth in the end under Joseph O'Brien.

Winning trainer Charles O'Brien said afterwards: "The cheekpieces worked. He probably wants further and I put them on him to sharpen him up.

"He travelled well throughout the race but he got caught a bit flat footed, he stayed on well though.

"We will look for something similar now or he might go back hurdling as he jumps well. He didn’t like Kilbeggan (made his hurdling debut there) as he is a big galloping horse and he needs a galloping track."

After the race the stewards banned Sam James rider of Mobane Ali for one day for excessive use of the whip.