Civil War comes through to beat Empress Of Tara at Dundalk© Photo Healy Racing
A plunge on Power To Please (9/2, and much bigger in a place this morning, into 9/4, eventually finished 8th) saw Civil War usurped as favourite for the concluding Dundalk Stadium Light Up Your Night Maiden.
However that didn't stop the Declan McDonogh-ridden Civil War from coming home best to beat Empress Of Tara by a neck.
A first winner in Britain or Ireland for the Castle Hyde Stud-based stallion, Scorpion (a triple Group 1 winner, including the 2005 St Leger), Civil War was dismounted and walked back in to be unsaddled in the parade ring by McDonogh.
Charles O'Brien trains Civil War for the Fingers Crossed Syndicate and he said: "When Declan pulled up he thought the horse felt a bit funny behind.
"He may have hit a nerve and I just hope he's okay in the morning.
"He deserved that win." (AM & EM)
