Under Pat Smullen Daybreak Boy (left) holds off Fiesole© Photo Healy Racing
Daybreak Boy had to survive a steward's enquiry before being confirmed the winner of the concluding www.fairyhouse.ie Rated Race. Black Ruby put it up to her rivals from some way out in this mile and a half event.
Under Pat Smullen the Henry de Bromhead-trained Daybreak Boy bridged the gap a furlong out.
However he then drifted left before holding on from the staying on pair, Fiesole and San Remo by half a length and three parts of a length.
"He's a tough horse and galloped all the way to the line," said Smullen.
"He showed a lot of immaturity and inexperience over the last furlong. He was very green with me and hung left.
"I was dictating it lovely and Colm (O'Donoghue on Black Ruby) went by me. It was a strange race to ride in after that. Obviously the filly was doing a bit too much under Colm but yet you don't want to let her too far away from you.
"It was a good performance by a horse with limited experience and I think there is a lot of improvement in him."
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Daybreak Boy, ridden by P.J. Smullen, placed first and Fiesole (GB), ridden by R. Coakley placed second.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judge's placings and took no further action.
(GC & EM)
