Neptune sinks his rivals in bumper

Neptune came home strongly to land the two and a half mile bumper in Leopardstown with Finny Maguire in the saddle. All For Joy had poached a healthy lead turning for home as Neptune started to try and cut into the deficit.

The distress signals went out on All For Joy coming to the final furlong and Neptune soon passed him.

The 7/1 shot drew seven and a half lengths clear of a weakening All For Joy (4/1) at the line. It was a further eight lengths back to Milan Native (12/1) in third.

Dermot Weld said: “He's been very consistent and it's amazing how well he stays with his pedigree.

“It's all speed in his dam's pedigree with Indian Ridge and Bluebird. I was confident he'd get the two-and-a-half miles and he did it well.

“The jockey gave him a lovely ride, as we'd discussed and planned.

“He'll either go on the Flat now or take up stallion duties. He's very well bred (full-brother to Nightime) and may well be sold to go to stud.

“If he's not sold he'll return to racing and could go for a two-mile maiden on the Flat. He could be a horse for the Ascot Stakes.

“I came here for the good ground and you could see there the way he quickened away.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson