O'Brien earns high praise from Morgan

The Come On Ireland Handicap proved to be a triumph for the handicapper with plenty of runners holding claims as the field approached the business end. In the end Ancient Sands toughed it out best to cause a 25/1 shock under Joseph O'Brien at Dundalk.

Winner of a Down Royal nursery last term, the Footstepsinthesand gelding had disappointed thus far this season but he came good here with a gritty performance (fought back after being headed) to beat Imagination by a head.

Joanna Morgan trains Ancient Sands for Annette Mee and she said: "Joseph is a great rider. He is just so instinctive.

"He's rode five for us now and that's three winners. That wasn't the plan (always close up and led over four furlongs out).

"The horse has been disappointing. He had his wind done in the spring and it knocked the stuffing out of him. It took him longer to come back than we had hoped.

"The owners will be happy as they had a few quid on.

"Joseph said he loved the surface and he might go hurdling as he is a fine big horse."