Grey Swallow swoops for victory

Grey Swallow won by three-quarters of a length

Grey Swallow held off the challenge of Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Bago to claim the Tattersalls Gold Cup at The Curragh.

Ridden by Pat Smullen, last year's Irish Derby winner led from a furlong out and kept the French star at bay by three-quarters of a length.

The Dermot Weld-trained winner was a 13-2 chance while Bago started as the 9-10 favourite for the Group One race.

Aidan O'Brien's Ace was third in the 1m 2½f race, worth £106,000 to the winner.

Azamour, last season's Irish Champion Stakes winner, was fourth and could be considered unlucky after getting caught in some scrimmaging in the final stages.

A stewards' inquiry was called but the placings were unaltered although winning jockey Smullen and Bago's rider Thierry Gilet were cautioned.

Winning trainer Weld was delighted with Grey Swallow's display.

"He's brave and he's tough, that's why I told Pat to go on halfway down the straight," said the Irishman.

"He tired a little bit in the last 100 yards and he will obviously come on for this run so I'd say we have a lot to look forward to.

"We'll have a look at York and the King George and in the second part of the year we will decide between an American and a European campaign."

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Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group One)
The Curragh, 1m 2½f

1 Grey Swallow (P J Smullen) 13-2
2 Bago (T Gillet) 9-10 Fav
3 Ace (K Fallon) 6-1
Six ran. Dist: ¾l, 1l.