SPEIRLING Beag (105) took full advantage of the skirmishing inside her on the home turn before edging a tight duel with favourite Hiawatha (105) to spring a 25/1 surprise in the feature race of the day at Leopardstown on Saturday, the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes.

The time-figure was not the fastest on the card although the effort represented a personal best for Jim Bolger’s filly who improved for another step up in trip while also appreciating the softer ground.

A closing sectional of 40.81secs was par for the day with the quickest posted by Tarawa who covered the ground in 39.53secs while the 106-rated Power Under Me stopped the clock at 40.72secs.

Hiawatha was sent of favourite to make amends for his lacklustre showing in the Goffs Million and, although the son of Camelot was the chief sufferer of the interference caused by his stablemate, he passed up his winning chance after leading entering the final furlong.

New doors are open for Power Under Me (115+) as having mainly plied his trade over six furlongs he saw out the mile strongly to post the fastest time figure of the day when adjusted for distance.

Title-chasing Colin Keane navigated a passage against the rail and, although extra assistance from the saddle was needed to seal the deal, the combination was well on top at the line as the winning margin suggests.

Circling

Having made a note of Emporio (112) when he finished fourth to recent high-profile Horses-In-Training-purchase I’m A Gambler over seven furlongs on the opening day of Champions weekend, I found myself circling his name again after reviewing this race.

Killian Leonard held a very good position early, travelling strongly on the heels of the leaders. However, through no fault of either of them they found themselves shuffled back through the field turning for home. The ground lost was probably not the equivalent of the distance beaten despite the Zoffany gelding finishing strongly down the outside of the field.

Exceptionally good

Tarawa (101) quickened smartly to land the opening maiden in the style of an exceptionally good filly. Chris Hayes settled the daughter of Shamardal in fifth, before challenging from the home turn.

The Pro-Cush stick was only required to persuade the filly to go to the front, as once there she stretched clear in impressive fashion.

The context of her dominant display increases when considering second-placed Bold As Love (95) was quick enough through the final three furlongs to have beaten the other winners on the card. Donnacha O’Brien’s debutant stopped the clock at 40.04secs.

Saltonstall (109) and Adam Caffrey have struck up a good association in recent weeks and were in perfect harmony again in the mile handicap. The young jockey brought the veteran with a last-to-first run to land the spoils, posting a closing sectional of 40.97secs in the process.

The final rival passed was Soilse, who kept on well for her inexperienced pilot and can win a similar race if repeating this performance.

Joe Masseria (106) and Timourid (103) finished their races off nicely to earn a tracker entry. The former is one to note on turf if reappearing before the season concludes as he enjoys soft ground. The latter is best at a mile and has tasted success at Dundalk in the past.

The remaining races were similar when adjusted for distance as Mohawk Chief (98) and Delightful (97) were both well ridden from the front by Seamie Heffernan, while King Arthurs Sword (97) opened his winning account in the final race.

Nursery winner Delightful was quickest through the closing stages, stopping the clock at 40.81secs.

In comparison Mohawk Chief and King Arthurs Sword covered the ground in 41.15secs and 41.12secs respectively. In the closing race, Nibiru (95) finished strongly and looks primed for a return to hurdles.