Sovereign Path again for export with Zap

The first day of Irish Champions Weekend finished up with yet another exciting finish as the Richard Fahey-trained Zap made it three wins on the card for the visitors in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sovereign Path Handicap.

The well-backed 5/1 favourite Silverkode appeared set to score when produced between horses to lead a furlong out in this seven-furlong event.

However he was just caught in the final strides by the Chris Hayes-ridden Zap who obliged at odds of 20/1.

Silverkode went down by a neck, with Surrounding finishing well on the outer just a nose away in third and Danielsflyer only a head further back in fourth.

This valuable prize has now gone for export in four of the five years of Irish Champions Weekend.

Hayes said, “That was very straight forward. The owner filled me up with loads of confidence. I didn't speak to Richard but he passed on the message through Mouse (O'Ryan) and I did what I was told and won so it was nice.

“The gaps opened up at the right time and he's very uncomplicated. It's great to get a winner for Richard.”

(GC & AM)