Sea The Lion roars home for Whelan

Sea The Lion s power-packed finish got the job done in the valuable 'Ragusa' Handicap over a mile and a half at the Curragh.

Jarlath Fahey 's charge was driven along in fourth by Ronan Whelan over a furlong out as Riven Light the 6/5 favourite, looked to have the race at his mercy.

The favourite collared Act Of Valour at the furlong pole and was ridden by Pat Smullen to go on and win his race. However, Sea The Lion tore up the script as he thundered home in the centre of the track to cut down Riven Light in the final strides and win by half a length.

The winner landed a touch from 16/1 this morning down to 6/1 on the off. Act Of Valour rallied on the inside of Riven Light to get second at 33/1. He was a nose ahead of the jolly.

Jarlath Fahey said: “He was a good horse when Mick Halford had him but unfortunately for him he went wrong. We were lucky to pick him up and I’ve had no problems with him.

"He’s very laidback and eats and trains away. It’s great to have a Sea The Stars in the yard and to be winning races with him too.

“He's a stayer and when he got the gap he picked up well. Ronan said the ground was ideal for him today.”

Sea The Lion was following up on a win over a mile and five at Navan at the start of the month which saw him hiked up 8lbs.

Whelan's mother Kathleen Whelan part owns Sea The Lion with Fahey's wife Suzanne.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee