Pearl leaves it late to land gamble

Tahitian Pearl lunged late for a last gasp victory in the Cruise Handicap at Down Royal under Keegan Latham.

The Willie McCreery-trained filly had attracted support in the morning from 12/1 into 4/1 favourite on track.

She left it late, however, just getting up in the dying strides to pip Metropolis by a head.

"I'm delighted she won. I thought she was well handicapped," said McCreery afterwards.

"She might run again in the apprentice race at the Curragh on Sunday. We'll see how she is tomorrow. She's a four-year-old and a strong filly.

"It's the first winner for the owner Brian Dolan, who is from between Dunboyne and Maynooth."