Punters delighted with their Shining Emerald

Those that got involved in the morning price gamble on Shining Emerald were counting their money at the two furlong pole as the colt strode into the lead and galloped away to win by 16 lengths.

Having been introduced at 6/1 for this race in early trading he was hammered down to 6/4 joint favourite on the off for Paul Deegan and Chris Hayes.

Nine hoses went to post in this two-year-old maiden over seven furlongs. It was Homeric Hymn who moved into the lead from the outset, but she couldn’t go with the winner in the final couple of furlongs. She kept on for second at 11/2.

Jim Bolger’s Solar Focus completed the placings at 12/1, just pipping the other 6/4 joint favourite Masai

Successful trainer Paul Deegan said: “He had good form in the book. He ran a blinder first-time out in the Curragh, but the ground was just too quick for him last time at Leopardstown. We probably got away with it the first day. He likes to get his toe in and is above average.

“We’ll maybe look at something like the Killavullan Stakes. He’ll be a bigger, stronger horse with a winter under his belt and will be a nice horse for next year.”

Chris Hayes added: “He’s a lovely colt and had two lovely runs. Paul gave him a break and he did what we thought he would do.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee