Invincible Ash denied the British contingent in the Woodies DIY Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh.
Home favourite swoops late
Invincible Ash denied the British contingent in the Woodies DIY Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh.
The David Nicholls-trained Inxile was sent off the hot favourite to record his fourth win in Ireland this year, but having adopted his customary pacesetting tactics, he was a spent force at the halfway stage.
Tim Easterby's Hamish McGonagall soon travelled into the lead in the style of a likely winner, but he began to tread water inside the final furlong.
Invincible Ash, the Mick Halford-trained 9-2 shot, mowed him down under Gary Carroll to get up by a length.
Deserved success
Halford said: "I thought they'd go very fast and told Gary to ride her like a non-trier in the early stages.
"In the end, they flew in front and Gary gave her a peach of a ride.
"I thought she was in good form but wasn't too confident beforehand - and especially on Friday when I saw all the rain.
"However the sun on her back and the drying ground helped considerably and she deserved today's win."
