Jim Bolger and Gordon Power combined to land the 1m6f Gold Cup with Panchita on the fourth day of the Tralee festival this afternoon.
The 12/1 chance always travelled well for Power and led early in the straight to win by 3 1/2l from Direct Bearing with Tuesday's big hurdles winner Bob What third.
Favourite backers got no run for their money as Ancestor remained in rear before being pulled up by Fran Berry turning in. The horse returned to the stable yard in the horse ambulance and Berry reported to the stewards that his mount was 'very lame behind'.
It later emerged that Ancestor had suffered a tendon injury and Jimmy O'Neill said, 'He has suffered an injury but we will not be sure of the extent of it until we get him home and our own vet gets to see him'.
Supporters of the John Oxx yard were on better terms with themselves half aan hour later when Afreen easily landed the 1m3f maiden.
Although a market drifter, Afreen led well over a furlong from home and swept clear to win by 8l.
Frances Crowley enjoyed a welcome winner here on Thursday and she got a second when Bond took the 7f maiden in fine style.
'They all got the cough together and it lasted exactly four weeks. Those running now were the first to get it and they are all okay. Bond could go for a winners' race next', said the winning trainer.
Seamus Heffernan enjoyed a second winner when the Tony Mullins-trained Dolmur scored an easy victory the 1m nursery.
A winner at Gowran Park and a close-up fifth in the Tattersalls Breeders Stakes at the Curragh, Dolmur led over a furlong out to win by seven lenghts.
Mullins was delayed in traffic and missed the race but on his arrival at the track said, 'He is the most laid back horse I have ever had. He is already rated 92 and will certainly be going up for that so I suppose a Listed or Group race is next on the cards'.
The Block Monster gave 26 year old Mark Quigley his first winner as a trainer when taking the 7f handicap under a strong drive from Wayne Lordan.
Quigley, who trains a string of 12, is based close to Portlaoise and has only been training since February.
Krosno defied top-weight to win the handicap hurlde and give Keith Hogan his third winner, while Paul Carberry enjoyed an easy winner when Compostello took the maiden hurdle.
