JUST two of the five lots at the Goffs Champions Sale changed hands, and they bookended the proceedings. Both horses were offered for sale by Innishannon trainer John Murphy.

Michael Halford was accompanied by owner Paul Rooney as his bid of €200,000 was good enough to acquire the first lot into the ring at Leopardstown, the four-year-old Declaration Of War gelding War Diary. This dual winner, including a premier handicap winner at the Curragh, has few miles on the clock and his new owner and trainer are hoping he might, in time, be good enough to send to the Dubai Racing Carnival.