Whelan gets a tune out of Grand City Hall in Cork

Grand City Hall had been threatening a victory during the summer and it duly came in the six-furlong handicap at Cork.

The top weight surged home under Ronan Whelan to pick it up in the final 150 yards and won going away by a length and a-half at 4/1.

The places were occupied by Imperial Dream in second at 7/1 and third-placed Never Shout Never at 11/1.

Jarlath Fahey said: "Park Hill Racing wanted a day out at Ascot (for the Shergar Cup) the last day and, apart from the transport cost, it was free entry and we got paid as there was prize money for all runners. Things didn't go right for him though as he became more antsy in the stable yard with every run.

"He completely missed the break at Ascot and burned himself up in the early part of the race, but the trip seemed to do him well and freshened him up. We knew he was well coming here as we used a blindfold on him at home and it worked.

"He isn't far off being a five furlongs horse, but this course and distance suits and if the ground stays quick, he'll run at the Curragh in two weeks' time.

"He could go on the all-weather, but there mightn't be a whole lot for him at Dundalk and he's had a good season, so if we get another run out of him we do, and if we don't we don't."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes