Hurricane Lane just got in front in the closing stages to deny Lone Eagle in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.
Third at Epsom behind stablemate Adayar, Charlie Appleby made no secret of the fact he expected Hurricane Lane to come out on top that day.
Winner of the Dante Stakes at York prior to his big date at Epsom, Hurricane Lane met with his first defeat there but regained the winning thread under William Buick.
Hurricane Lane reeled in Lone Eagle's lead in the final stretch to record a dramatic win in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) June 26, 2021
Watch the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival live on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer #rteracing pic.twitter.com/gjGk3hr6LB
Frankie Dettori looked to have stolen the Classic on Martyn Meade's Lone Eagle, shooting three lengths clear with two furlongs to run.
There was plenty of trouble in running for those in behind though, with Hurricane Lane seemingly edging right in the melee, but once straightened out he began to make ground relentlessly, eventually prevailing by a neck.
The pair pulled seven lengths clear of Wordsworth in third, with a stewards' inquiry swiftly called.
The big disappointment of the race was the favourite, Aidan O'Brien's High Definition, who was one of the first horses beaten.
"It's wonderful" - @Ruby_Walsh on the presence of spectators at the @curraghrace
— RTÉ Racing (@RTEracing) June 26, 2021
Watch the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival live on @RTE2 and @RTEplayer #rteracing pic.twitter.com/1JuZL1Xwlk
Watch the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival live on RTÉ2 and on the RTÉ Player this Saturday and Sunday from 1.45pm. Coverage also on Saturday Sport and Sunday Sport, RTÉ Radio 1, from 2pm.