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
17. 1XBet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Heat 1 Sharianne O'Donnell and ,Molly Finn whose Dog Bockos Gold won the 1XBet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Heat 1
Brendan Gleeson
18. 1XBet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Heat 4 Pauline Buckley whose Dog Singalong Music won the 1XBet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Heat 4
Brendan Gleeson
19. 1XBet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Heat 3 Rachel Holland whose Dog Highbury Days won the 1XBet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Heat 3
Brendan Gleeson
20. 1XBet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Heat 5 Jordan Moynihan whose Dog Skywalker Bruno won the 1XBet Irish St Leger 550 Round 2 Heat 5
Brendan Gleeson