ENGLISH-based trainer Richard Fahey is amassing quite a strike rate on Irish Champions Weekend and he took things to a new high this year with a double which he shared with Colin Keane and the brace concluded with the victory of Shark Two One in the €300,000 Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes.

A €40,000 graduate of the Tattersalls Ireland September Sale, and then an £80,000 breeze-up sale purchase in June, Shark Two One lined up as a twice-raced maiden and was allowed to go off at 20/1.

However, the Adaay colt picked an opportune moment to produce his best and he showed a good attitude after finding himself in the firing line some way from home. Shark Two One first held off the strong-travelling Belle Image and the line arrived just in time for him to edge out compatriot and favourite Star Of Orion by a short head.

“He’s a lovely horse. Richard was bullish and thought he had a nice horse coming here. I got there as soon as I wanted to but the horses on our left were coming across and I didn’t want the gap to close. He quickened well and just got lonely coming to the line,” reported the rider.

Ratings slide

Earlier, Fahey and Keane struck with the former Greenlands Stakes winner Mr Lupton who took advantage of a slide down the ratings in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bold Lad Handicap. The seven-year-old, who was a well backed 11/2 favourite to take advantage of a 10lb drop in the weights over the last year, came through to lead on the far side with over a furlong to run and he prevailed by half a length from Natalia Lupini’s Blairmayne.

The latter’s effort warrants more than just a passing mention. This was the fifth time that he has contested this race and it was the fourth time that he has finished in the first five.

“His last run suggested he was coming back to form and the race worked out well for him and he always had something to aim at with Billy (Lee, on Royal Canford) making the running on our side,” reflected Keane. “He quickened well between the two and the one pole and won like a horse who is coming back to himself.”

Mr Lupton was left in today’s Ayr Gold Cup at Monday’s confirmation stage.

Fahey has now sent out winners on Irish Champions Weekend for the last three years in succession.