ON a splendid day for Ireland, Dermot Weld’s 2/1 favourite Pale Mimosa ran a out a deserving winner of the Group 2 Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance Lonsdale Cup, though she was harried all the way to the line by Queen Elizabeth’s former Ascot Gold Cup winner Estimate, who left a decidedly lack-lustre effort at Goodwood well behind.

They went no great pace in this, with Forgotten Voice taking them along and the in-form Cavalryman and Times Up close up as Smullen bided his time and Ryan Moore also sat patiently on Estimate.

The order hardly changed for much of the two-mile journey and the modest gallop meant that the field bunched up with two furlongs to travel.

Finally Pale Mimosa made her move and soon accounted for most of her rivals but Estimate followed her through towards the near side and the roars went up for a royal victory.

However, hard though she tried she could get no closer in the final 100 yards and Pale Mimosa kept on strongly to score by half a length with Times Up well held in third.

“It was a good renewal of the race,” Weld said as the five-year-old returned, having given Ireland its first winner for seven years. “Her Majesty’s filly is very good. Last time Pale Mimosa came here she won the Galtres and it was lovely to see her win today. The race was run to suit us and Pat was always in the ideal position. It was the perfect ride from him.

“As for the Melbourne Cup we’ll talk to Dr Lambe and the other owners but the only problem is that she doesn’t want really firm, firm ground.”

Paddy Power went 16/1 about her chances down under with Estimate on 25/1. Times Up will head for Town Moor and try to win the Doncaster Cup for a third time