Golden Twilight strong in Headquarters

Golden Twilight showed his fortitude when getting off the mark in the mile and a quarter maiden at the Curragh.

He travelled well under Dylan Browne McMonagle to pick up the lead turning for home.

It is over three furlongs to get home, though, and he came off the bridle as Manwal served it up inside the three pole.

He was soon ridden as Manwal seemingly travelled over him, however, Manwal couldn't get past him when push came to shove.

Golden Twilight kept boxing on along the rail and he toughed it out well by half a length. Witham River stayed on well to get up for a never nearer second at 4/1 by half a length from Manwal (9/2).

Michael Halford said: “He was in training last year but was very weak. I then trained him as a bumper horse and thought that he didn’t quite stay.

“We then ran over a mile and a half at Ballinrobe and Ronan (Whelan) came in and said this horse has loads of pace and you could drop him back to a mile and a quarter.

“He’d a very wide draw and I said to Dylan to go forward as he’s a big, long-striding horse and needs a bit of space. It’s worked out great.

“I’m delighted to have a winner for Frank Lynch as he had horses with us years ago. He’s had to be patient with this horse and I’m delighted that it has paid off.

“He’s a big, tall horse and is only starting to strengthen up now. He shows a good attitude, loves the ground and got into a lovely rhythm. Dylan gave him a peach of a ride.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee