Sea The Lion wins a driving finish

Annus Mirabilis looked to be on his way to lining the punters pockets who backed him from 7/4 to 5/4 in the closing maiden at the Curragh, but she tied up in the last furlong and finished out of the places.

He drifted left under pressure inside the furlong pole of this mile and a quarter race, and the petrol gauge dipped into the red as Sea The Lion (2/1) and Shane Foley stayed on well to get up on the line and deprive No Wunder by a head.

The runner-up, who was an 8/1 chance, also stayed on nicely but the big eyecatcher was Awesome Star on debut for John Oxx who found top gear in the last two furlongs. He was beaten a head and a neck into third at 11/2.

“He’s still very babyish. He has learned plenty and he travelled better today. He’s still green off the bridle and he’s a horse that will improve with racing. He has a great temperament and he looked like he will get further,” handler Mick Halford said.

“It’s nice to get a winner for John (Connaughton) who bred him and who has been very patient.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson