Esprit De Lumiere a half-brother to Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Just The Judge, was claimed back by connections following his win in the opening Tattersalls Horse Trials Claiming Race at Fairyhouse today.

The winning son of Invincible Spirit today got off the mark at the tenth attempt when swooping late to score, under jockey Declan McDonogh, by a head over Cafe Sydney

Winning trainer Joseph O’Brien later stated “he’s been disappointing to be honest. We thought he would have won by now but it’s nice that he has won and I’m delighted for Joan (Kearney-Dempsey, owner/breeder) as she’s been patient with him.

“Dec gave him a good strong ride. If we hang onto him we’ll try and get him to win again.”

Connections did hang on to Esprit De Lumiere, whose half-sister Just The Judge was an Irish Classic winner in 2013for Qatar Racing and trainer Charlie Hills, as the gelding was claimed back for E10,000.

Third placed Magic Shuffle was claimed by Kevin Lindsey to be trained in Britain by F.J. Brennan.

Quotes from Alan Magee