SLIEVE Binnian caught the eye last time out in the Emerald Mile Handicap, in which he had 12 rivals to pass with a furlong to race, but ran on to finish third.

Luke McAteer rode the David Marnane-trained grey closer to the pace in Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap and enjoyed a clear passage to lead a furlong from home.

Ridden out, the 7/1 shot led by three-parts of a length on the line, while a luckless Love Billy Boy ran on to take second, a head in front of State Actor. It marked a sixth career success for the Paul Rooney-owned five-year-old, and his first in the care of Marnane, having previously scored over a mile to a mile and a half for Michael Halford and Tracy Collins.

After landing the premier handicap, Marnane commented: “He ran really well on Guineas weekend, and we put him away for this.

“He could be a Galway Mile horse and will need to go up a few pounds to get in, so we’ll see what the handicapper does with him. I’d like to have a go at Galway as he jumps smart and travels well.

“He hasn’t had many goes at a mile. He took a while to get going the last day, but came home well and sharpened up a lot from it.”

Weld wins the opener

Dermot Weld is no stranger to Ballybritt and it could be the next port of call for Sujet (10/1), who made a winning handicap debut off 78 in the opening Dubai Duty Free Handicap. The Juddmonte home-bred was last seen in October, when he finished fifth in a Leopardstown maiden won by Irish Derby runner-up Serious Contender, having previously placed behind subsequent group performer Shackleton and debuted fifth behind Goffs Million victor Apples And Bananas.

Gelded over the winter, the son of Frankel was sent off 10/1 under Chris Hayes on Sunday and tracked the leaders for much of the way. Ridden to challenge a furlong and a half from home, he quickened to lead inside the final furlong and kept on to beat 6/4 favourite Mississippi River by a length and a quarter, with another two and a quarter lengths back to Lady In Paris in third.

“Chris had him in a lovely position throughout,” Weld commented. “When you are drawn wide here [drawn stall 13] it is important to go and get a position, otherwise you will be forced very wide over the nine furlongs, but he got him out and got him over.”

Sujet holds an entry in the Group 3 Meld Stakes in mid-July, but his trainer expects to remain in handicaps. “We’ll see how he comes out of the race and another sponsored handicap will be the plan for him.

“He was gelded and just took a bit of time to come to himself. This was a lovely race for a three-year-old and he had been working nicely.”

Joy signs off with a win

Stud is the only option available to the in-foal Lot Of Joy, who ended her racing career on a high in the concluding Dubai Duty Free Irish EBF Stayers Handicap. Bought by J.D. Moore for €165,000 after winning the Swedish St Leger, the half-sister to Irish St Leger hero Sonnyboyliston had since won three hurdle races for Willie Mullins, one of them a listed contest, as well as placing in the Irish Cesarewitch.

Breaking from stall 13 under Seamie Heffernan, the 12/1 shot gained a good position on the rail and soon tracked the leader. Travelling well to lead entering the straight, she was ridden passing the two-furlong pole and kept on to win by a length and a quarter. Too Bossy For Us (9/4f) completed a 1-2 for Willie Mullins, beating Happy Jacky (20/1) by a nose.

On the Over The Sticks Syndicate-owned winner, Mullins said: “Delighted for the filly to break her duck on the flat and that’s her final attempt. She’s in foal and goes to stud now.

“It’s a tremendous way to sign off and delighted Seamie Heffernan did the job for us. Always a man you can depend on.

“The second ran very well and might have been a little too keen throughout the race. There is a nice race in him somewhere and he could head to Galway.”