Great's stamina wins day in sprint

Fourth and six placers at the Curragh on the opening day behind The Warrior, Great Wide Open and Well Done Me were again to the fore in the Fundraising Events At Tipperary Races Handicap. This time it was the former that fared better, as he beat Well Done Me into second place in the five furlong event.

A win for the Painestown Syndicate-owned, and Charles O'Brien-trained Starsangledbanner gelding, didn't look particularly likely when he was being pushed along by Fran Berry at the two furlong pole in fifth place.

However no race is won at that point and Great Wide Open was strong at the finish as he headed the aforementioned pace-setter, Well Done Me (the winner's 11/4 fellow market leader), and went on to prevail.

"He was outpaced early-on but stamina probably won it for him. I'd always felt he'd finish, and he finished it out very well. He should keep improving," said Berry. (TW & EM)