sport

Grafelli impresses for Bolger

Grafelli was an impressive winner of the Jebel Ali Stables & Racecourse Anglesey Stakes for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning at the Curragh.

The 9-4 chance won by six and a half lengths from Hard Yards.

Bolger said: "I expect him to stay a mile and he's shown before that he's effective from six furlongs, so I don't think trip matters.

"I don't think ground matters, either.

"He handles the soft ground very well but I think he might even be better on better ground."

Wayne Lordan conjured a great late run out of David Wachman's Tannery (5-1) to collar 11-10 favourite Caponata in the Kilboy Estate Stakes.

Wachman said: "She is a very tough filly and seems to handle any kind of ground.

"There is a good programme of races here in Ireland for her and she might go for the Blandford Stakes.

"She could also go for a race in the US in the autumn."

Mick Halford, sporting his right arm in a sling after being kicked by one of his horses at home, saddled a double courtesy of Dibayani and Zariyna.

Dibayani (8-13 favourite) confirmed his debut promise to take the illustrious Darley EBF Maiden under Johnny Murtagh.

The seven-furlong contest has launched the careers of the likes of Teofilo, New Approach and Sea The Stars, but Dibayani had the benefit of a good run behind the highly-regarded The United States.

Zariyna (3-1 favourite) later won the O'Brien's Wines Handicap for Shane Foley.

Nina Carberry claimed her fourth Thalgo Ladies Derby on Placere (7-2), while Bubbly Bellini (11-2) landed the valuable Bettor.com Rockingham Handicap for Ado McGuinness.

McGuinness said: "He is versatile, trip wise, and he will probably go to Galway now for the big-seven furlong handicap."