McTigue powers home to deny front-running Soldier

The Jim Bolger trained McTigue got up in the dying strides to win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

A never nearer fourth on debut at Galway last week, the son of Fracas was as short as 10/3 in early shows but proved easy-to-back and was returned an 11/2 chance.

Settled behind the leaders by Kevin Manning, the bay victor was ridden upon entering the straight. He still had plenty to do from the furlong pole but powered home from there, getting up in the shadow of the post to prevail by a head.

The front-running Chicago Solider was the one just denied, with Ben Coen aboard this Johnny Murtagh trained 6/1 chance. Mannix (6/1) was another two-and-a-quarter lengths back in third, while Changingoftheguard (2/1fav) could only manage a disappointing fifth under Ryan Moore.

Una Manning said in the aftermath: "Kevin was pleased with him. It took a little while for the penny to drop but when it did he was doing his best work at the finish.

"He gets the mile well and I'd say whatever he does this year he'll improve next year.

"Joe (Joyce, owner) tells me that Fracas won his maiden here as well."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee