BEAUTIFUL Morning returned from a mid-season break to win the Group 3 Manguard Plus Royal Whip Stakes in thrilling fashion at the Curragh.

It looked for all the world that Deauville had held off Jessica Harrington's mare as the pair flashed across the line together, but Beautiful Morning (5/1), having her first run since May, relished the rain-softened ground and held a nose advantage at the line.

Jim Bolger's Group 1 winner Verbal Dexterity was returning from a 302-day lay-off and finished close up in fourth.

"I was very happy to see the rain," said Harrington. "She was very keen until the four-furlong marker and he had to sit and wait on her and then go for her.

"She's getting there. It's a long time since she's run and it's been a bit of a frustrating summer with her.

"She'll probably run in the Blandford because the owner is coming that weekend (Irish Champions Weekend). She's won a Group 3 now anyway."