Curragh review: Irish Champions Festival

The morning market spoke volumes ahead of the Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sales and the crowd hit their crescendo as Alparslan (5/4 favourite) quickened decisively at the furlong pole to settle the race in a matter of strides.

UK-based trainers have enjoyed plenty of success in the valuable sales race run over an extended six furlongs and Karl Burke became the latest handler to lift the trophy.

Alparslan, ridden by Clifford Lee, put daylight between himself and the chasing pack in a matter of strides passing the furlong pole and only had to be kept up to his work to win by three and a half lengths. He was followed over the line by Magny Cours and Blingy's Sister.

Alparslan had scored by five lengths on his August debut at Leicester and holds a handful of big race entries, including the Royal Lodge and Dewhurst Stakes.

Lee told Racing TV: "He was very good at Leicester, obviously it's a stiff track here, and the drop back [in trip]......there was a bit of a headwind but I went forward on him and made good use of him and he galloped to the line very strongly.

"I didn't want to go too quick in front with the headwind, I would have liked to have taken a lead but nothing went so I landed in front and set my own fractions.

"He's still very green in himself, he was chopping and changing his legs quite a bit, and I think he will come on a lot."

That result may have come as something of a relief to punters as the first four home in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bold Lad Sprint Handicap returned at SPs of 50/1, 22/1 and 16/1 twice.

They were led over the line by Tango Flare who had half-a-length to spare from the top-weight Big Gossey.

Tango Flare, third in last year's renewal, was ridden by Luke McAteer who said: "That was great, gave me a lovely ride.

"Plan was to get a bit a of cover, bit handier. At halfway I was in business and edged out, edged out - you feel the strong headwind but once I edged him out I really thought I was struggling but he picked up so well into it.

"It's lovely to get one for Pat [Foley, trainer] who has been a big supporter of mine."

Barnavara to take stage in Opera

Barnavara routed her rivals in the Group 3 Moyglare 'Jewels' Blandford Stakes to earn a step up to the top table.

The 6/1 chance was soon sent to the front by Shane Foley and, although she was joined a little after halfway, soon reasserted and bounded clear to win by a very comfortable three and a half lengths.

Winning trainer Jessica Harrington said: "She got out there in front and Shane said he had easy in front and the great thing today, she actually had a horse pushing her along so it helped her.

"He said he couldn't believe it when he gave her a kick in the straight, she quickened up more than he thinks she's ever quickened up and I think she's only improving.

"She's not bred to get it [10 furlongs] but she gets every yard of it which is brilliant. She's been very consistent this year so onwards and upwards and we'll probably have a crack at a Group 1 now if she's alright after this.

"The Prix de l'Opera is the plan at the moment. She's in it and all being well she'll run there. She won't mind if the ground is soft.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen, there maybe a committee meeting. Normally the syndicate are in for two years and at the end of their three-year-old season they get sold but we have had exceptions because we kept Cadillac on as a four-year-old and did very well with him.

"We'll see how the cookie crumbles."

The William Haggas trained Crown Of Oaks was sent off at the prohibitive price of 10/11 for the closing Irish Stallion Farms EBF Northfields Handicap, a 21 runner contest, but could only finish third as Shaool (11/2) did the business for Johnny Murtagh and Ben Coen.

Murtagh also trained the fourth, Retracement, while in second was another Newmarket challenger, Tony Montana from the yard of Michael Bell.

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