MANY horses have carried the famous green and blue Sangster colours to success at the Curragh over the years and Cap Saint Martin (5/6 favourite) was the latest to do so in the first division of the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden over a mile.

Third at Killarney before running respectably in a Deauville listed contest, Joseph O’Brien’s juvenile had been slowly away on both of those outings, but was sharper from the gates here under Dylan Browne McMonagle.

The Persian King colt, owned by Sam Sangster and Lee Warren, headed front-runner Iron Fist over a furlong out and accounted for that rival by three-parts of a length.

“He’s still very unfurnished and was still green when he hit the front today, but he did it well. He handles that (yielding to soft) ground and stays well,” said Browne McMonagle.

Doubled up

Browne McMonagle and O’Brien doubled up when Bard Of Avon (6/5 favourite) ground out victory in the EquiTom Equine Clinics Maiden over a mile and a half.

The Galileo colt, owned by Demi O’Byrne, Mrs John Magnier and Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd, led from early in the straight and held the late charge of Jack McNamara by half a length.

The winning rider said: “He’s a lovely big horse and is learning with racing. Up in trip and on a nice track was a big help to him. He’ll have no problem going as far as you want with him.”

BILLY Lee was another rider to come away with a brace of winners and struck first on Natalia Lupini’s Thebelmontgangster (13/2) in the second division of the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden over a mile.

The son of Inns Of Court was prominent throughout and led over two furlongs out to beat odds-on favourite Nobler by two and three-quarter lengths.

Lupini said of the Eoin McDonagh-owned winner: “He’s a lovely big horse and is going to improve a lot from two to three. He’s for sale as the owners are trading people and he’s going to be a nice horse for next year. You can step him up to a mile and two.”

Winning the late tussle

Lee teamed up with another northern trainer to complete his double when Apercu (15/8 favourite) clung on for victory in the TRM - Excellence In Equine Nutrition Handicap.

Andy Oliver’s daughter of Elzaam, owned by Team Valor International LLC, led over two furlongs out and just got the better of a late tussle with Fleetfoot by a nose.

“It’s just coincidence that’s she’s won twice on slow ground. I think she’ll be grand on good ground again,” said Lee.

“Andy will be delighted. He’s working away hard at the sales and I think he’s bought plenty of new stock for next year.”

Delivering a promise

A big field lined up for the Irish EBF Median Sires Series Maiden over six furlongs and 7/2 favourite East Hampton came home in front of his 20 rivals.

Trained by David Marnane for MRC International, the son of Cracksman had entered many notebooks in a course and distance contest on Irish Guineas weekend and delivered on that promise on start number four.

After travelling powerfully in mid-division under Luke McAteer, the winner led inside the final furlong to beat Dmaniac by a length and a quarter.

“He was very eye-catching here the first day and travelled well there today,” said Marnane.

“He was sort of a gangly two-year-old mid-season and we put him away. He’s turned into a proper sprinter, lookswise anyway.

“I’d say that’ll be it for him, we’ll put him away, and he looks a nice three-year-old for next year to go sprinting.”

ART Of Unity (7/1) recorded his seventh win over the minimum distance in the Equine Care Group - Nutritional Solutions Handicap.

The nine-year-old was in the front rank throughout and pulled out a bit more to foil Rathbranchurch by three-parts of a length.

The 10lb claimer Julian Pietropaolo was on board, as he had been at Bellewstown earlier this month when Art Of Unity provided him with his first winner.

“I have to thank my farrier, he has glue-on shoes and up to this we were struggling to keep him sound,” said Muredach Kelly, who trains the winner for his wife Sinead.

Best of four

Gavin Cromwell ran four in the Big Picture Communications Handicap over a mile and six furlongs and they all picked up prize money with Pachmena (12/1) coming from well off the pace to win under apprentice title contender Wayne Hassett.

The daughter of Sir Percy, owned by Rosita Moyles, Michael Meegan and John Moyles, picked up well in the final quarter-mile and led close home to beat Imarajan by half a length.

“She’s won here before and Wayne was very good on her, took his time and gave her a chance. I was trying to justify to myself why you run four, but we’ve won it and were third, fourth and fifth,” said Cromwell.

Melia’s milestone

Close to the stands’ side rail was the place to be in the 27-runner Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Handicap over seven furlongs and Purring Along (28/1) showed good speed throughout to score under Wayne Lordan. Michelle Shannon’s mare led from two furlongs out to beat Dark Viper by two and three-quarter lengths. Twice a winner last year for Shane Duffy, the five-year-old was making a successful stable debut for her new trainer, Aidan Melia.

“I’m delighted, that’s my first winner,” said Melia.

“I only got my licence during the summer. I’m based in Monasterevin and I’ve only a couple riding out at the moment, but I’ve got plenty of empty stables!”