Earl Of Tyrone leads home Raise You (white face)© Photo Healy Racing
Earl Of Tyrone continued his upward trajectory, as he claimed the feature at Limerick this evening, the Listed Martin Molony Stakes.
An unlucky third on his debut for Paddy Twomey at Leopardstown in April, the son of Australia then got off the mark at Bellewstown before following up in style at the Curragh.
Easy-to-back this evening, the chestnut gelding drifted from 6/4 to 9/4 and was settled in third by Billy Lee.
Pushed along to challenge on the outer from early in the straight, he got to the front with just under two furlongs to race.
Soon ridden clear, the four-year-old kept up the gallop inside the final furlong and came home a length-and-a-quarter to the good in the colours of Robert Moran.
The Joseph O'Brien trained Raise You (4/5f) raced in rear under Shane Crosse and was short of room when closing over a furlong from home.
Once in the clear, he kept on well in the closing stages but ultimately had to settle for second. Inuit also trained by Joseph O'Brien, attempted to make all and eventually finished a further two lengths away in third.
The winner was completing a cross-card double for Twomey, who also claimed the opener at Down Royal with Treasure Trove
"He hasn't put a foot wrong all spring and I thought he was good the last day at the Curragh," Twomey commented.
"He came out of it well, I've been happy with him at home since and I said to Billy that I thought he'd go well in this.
"He won a win-and-you're-in qualifier for the Ebor the last day at the Curragh but I wasn't keen to run him in the Ebor from out of the handicap. He'll run there now and will probably go straight there.
"Billy is very good every day and hopefully he'll have a winner (two rides) at Royal Ascot tomorrow."
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Stewards reviewed an incident in the straight involving Raise You, ridden by S.M. Crosse, Sunchart, ridden by A.J. Slattery and Inuit (FR), ridden by D. McMonagle, where it appeared there was contact between Raise You and Sunchart. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
A.J. Slattery, rider of Sunchart (GB) trained by Andrew Slattery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung right throughout.
D. McMonagle, rider of Inuit (FR) trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount leaned left off the home bend.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
