BALLYMAC DENIRO, easy to back beforehand and deposed as favourite by Wi Can James, proved the market all wrong with a stunning track record performance in round two of the 1XBet Irish St Leger over 550 yards in Limerick.
Liam Dowling's star, runner-up in the English Derby final at Towcester earlier in the year, overcame a modest break in heat two to pace up and lead by the first bend after which, even in such a high-quality field, he was only racing against the clock.
Powering on, he scored by three lengths from fastest first round winner Swords Diamond in a brilliant 29.14.
Photographer Brendan Gleeson was on hand to capture all of the colour and excitement from last week’s event
1. Patrick Walsh, Eoin Gordon, Ciaran Shanahan and Stephen Foster attending the Bet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2
Brendan Gleeson
2. Bet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Peter, Robert and Luke O'Brien attending the Bet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2
Brendan Gleeson
3. Bet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Peter Hayes, Barry Morrissey and Sarah Greene attending the Bet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2
Brendan Gleeson
4. Bet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 John O'Brien, Sarah Louise Dennehy, Cathy Morrissey with Jodi and Clodagh Morrissey attending the Bet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2
Brendan Gleeson