Merisi Diamond shines in Curragh again

Merisi Diamond is clearly a horse to keep on the right side of as he put in a power-packed display in the concluding Cavalor Equine Nutrition Handicap at the Curragh.

He was last seen winning a seven furlong handicap at this track in October for Joanna Morgan and resumed over six today for Martin Brassil.

The well backed 5/2 favourite charged into contention for Ronan Whelan outside the final furlong and, once he grabbed the lead flashing past that marker, the race was over.

He shot clear in the final 100 yards to run away with the race by four and three-quarter lengths. Runner-up Dark Viper didn't go unbacked at 18/1 and was half a length in front of Master Garvey (12/1). Each-way backers drew a return from 12-year-old Downforce in fourth at 9/1.

Brassil said: “He handles the ground. He’s a fine, big, strong horse who is a five-year-old now and after maturing.

“Ronan said he felt a stronger horse than he rode last October.

“Hopefully we’ll get him out again if there is an opportunity there and we’ll see what the handicapper says.

"I’d prefer to be coming back to a long, straight track like this as he’s such a big horse.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee