DIAMOND Fields swooped late to claim top honours in the Gladness Stakes at Naas. The Group 3 contest attracted a five-strong field, with Aidan O'Brien's triple Group 1 winner Alice Springs the 6/4 favourite on her seasonal reappearance.

Blue De Vega took the runners along for much of the seven-furlong journey and briefly looked to have cut loose heading inside the final quarter of a mile. However, Alice Springs battled her way to the lead close home, only to be caught by Diamond Fields (9/2) and Chris Hayes in the shadows of the post. There was half a length between them at the line.

The victory continues a fine start to the season for trainer Fozzy Stack, who this year took over the licence from his father, Tommy.

He said: "He gave her a very good ride as she doesn't kill herself when she gets to the front. She was a little bit unlucky last year in the Sandringham at Royal Ascot and in America the saddle slipped one day.

"She also finished third in a Grade 2 at Saratoga. It lashed rain beforehand and the ground was very slippy. She ran well at Belmont on her last start behind a very smart filly, and probably didn't just get the nine furlongs that day.

"She's smart and may come back here for the Athasi, and then maybe Ascot, although there is another race back in New York around that time so we'll have to see where we go.

"I'm very pleased for the owner Mary Slack. It's the biggest winner she has had in Ireland or England. She is a good supporter of the yard and has a stud farm down in South Africa, so I'm sure she will breed off her at some stage."

ENGLISH RAIDER

British challenger Air Pilot got up close home to land the Dr Vincent O'Brien Centenary Alleged Stakes.

Last year's Investec Derby runner-up US Army Ranger was the headline act in the Group 3 contest and Aidan O'Brien's charge was the even-money favourite on his first start since finishing down the field in the Champion Stakes at Ascot last October. But he looked in need of the run as he passed the post third.

Ken Condon's stable star Success Days put up a bold bid from the front, but Fran Berry delivered Ralph Beckett's Air Pilot with a well-timed challenge and the pair claimed the prize by a head.

Beckett said: "I think the last time I was here Klairon Davis was running over hurdles when I was with Arthur Moore. It's a great track and we imagined that it would suit him well.

"You can always rely on these old geldings to get you out of jail when things aren't going great. He's a great old campaigner and probably has another day or two in him. This is his level, a Group 3 with soft ground."

"Hopefully Fran gets a clear run this year. He had a tough time of it last year. He's riding really well and is a great team man. We are lucky to have him."

FAST-FINISHING

Trainer Michael O'Callaghan and jockey Leigh Roche combined to land the Racing Again May 1st Handicap at Naas with the fast-finishing Rapid Applause.

The 9/1 winner was stone last with two furlongs to run, but flew home once switched wide and got up to beat Mizaah by half a length. St Brelades Bay and 9/2 favourite Club Wexford finished third and fourth respectively.

O'Callaghan said: "He was a very good two-year-old and then lost his way. He got a leg last year and has come a long way down the handicap for that. He was getting back into the swing of things at Dundalk, and he ran an eyecatching race there the last day.

"He's turning the corner now and hopefully he won't get too much for that and he could win another one. He was always a nice horse and it has been a long road with him. It's great for the owners who have had him all along."

MAIDEN SUCCESS

T For Tango had just enough in the tank to claim a narrow victory in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden.

A field of 10 unraced juveniles went to post for the five-furlong contest, with the James Nash-trained T For Tango a 5/1 shot in the hands of champion jockey Pat Smullen. The son of Zoffany quickened up well to hit the front, but Guessthebill came home strongly and there was just a head between them at the line. Aidan O'Brien's 2/1 favourite Sioux Nation was third.

Nash, recording a first ever two-year-old winner, said: "He's been a lovely horse all the way through and never once disappointed. I didn't think he would win but I was hoping he'd run well. Pat really likes him.

"On his pedigree we think he wants better ground. He cost plenty of money at the time but it looks well spent now. Hopefully I can keep him as there is sure to be plenty interested in him now. There will be no rush with him and I've no particular plans."

Smullen swiftly doubled up aboard Sorelle Delle Rose in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden. Dermot Weld's grey was the 6/5 favourite to build on her promising debut effort over the course and distance in October when she was beaten just half a length into third place.

It was fairly plain sailing for the market leader, with Sorelle Delle Rose showing a smart turn of foot to seal the deal by three lengths from Camiyra.

"She has been working nicely and will appreciate seven furlongs," said Weld. "The Athasi Stakes is the next logical progression with her. She's adaptable ground-wise."

READ THE FULL NAAS REPORT IN NEXT WEEK'S EDITION OF THE IRISH FIELD