O'Brien leaves it late on Up

Up prevailed in a driving finish to the Group Two Blanford Stakes at the Curragh. Manieree took the field along in the ten furlong contest and proved a tough nut to crack in front.

The leader only gave way well inside the final furlong as Caponata got her head in front inside the final 100 yards.

She was closely followed through in the final furlong by Up, however, who found more in the dying strides to record a short-head success.

Joseph O'Brien had given the 3/1 joint-favourite a patient ride and delivered her with a perfectly timed run to deny her market rival.

"She's a tough filly," said Aidan O'Brien afterwards.

"A mile-and-a-quarter is as far as we thought she'd stay and Joseph was riding her to try and get the trip.

"We'll aim her now at the Fillies and Mares at the Breeders Cup. She's been quite busy lately so may not run again before that."

Stan James have introduced Up at 20/1 for her Breeders Cup target.

(On course reporting by Alan Magee)