Review CURRAGH 16TH SEP

Arctic Owl provided James Fanshawe with his first winner in Ireland when gaining a hard-earned victory under David Harrison in the Smurfit sponsored St Leger.

The 6yo gelding dug deep to get the better of a final furlong duel with Yavana's Pace (also second last year) by 1 1/2L, with Mutafaweq a further 6L adrift in third.

'He cost just 10,000gns as a yearling, and used to need it soft but has handled faster ground better with age,' said the Newmarket trainer.

Fanshawe added: 'We will see how he comes out of this race before making a decision on the Melbourne Cup.'

Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen shared a double, highlighted by the Group 3 success of Social Harmony in the Aon MacDonagh Boland Stakes.

Social Harmony needed a strong drive to head stablemate Tarry Flynn in the closing stages for a 1/2L win.

The Michael Smurfit owned Creux Noir completed the double half-an-hour, leading a furlong out to beat Kerataka by 2L in the mile handicap.

'He loves cut in the ground, and there is a good handicap hurdle in him,' said the Rosewell House trainer afterwards.

Weld will run Grand Finale in a Grade 3 event at Belmont next Sunday, while Quality Team goes hurdling after missing the St Leger with a pulled muscle.

Michael Grassick saddled his first juvenile winner of the season with Katherine Seymour (5/1-7/1) in the 7f filles race.

Eddie Ahern's mount quickened well when switched to the inner inside the final furlong to beat fellow newcomer Love Me True by 1 1/2L.

'I have always thought a fair bit of her, and she may have another run this season in the Killavullan Stakes at Leopardstown (Oct 30),' said the Curragh trainer.

The Grassick/Ahern team were also fancied to take the 5f maiden with Marseille Express (3/1-2/1f) but she could make little impact behind the front-running Warrior Wings.

Leading apprentice Tom Queally partnered his 26th winner of the campaign when Anna Elise stretched clear over a furlong out for a comfortable 2L win in the valuable 6f handicap.

Inourhearts (6/4-3/1) showed her typical speed throughout for a comfortable 4L success over Tiger Royal in the 5f conditions race.

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