Cheltenham Festival hero Puturhandstogether had supporters cheering once again, as the 7-1 joint-favourite stormed home to land the Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch under veteran jockey Niall McCullagh.
Trainer Joseph O'Brien already possessed a wealth of chances for the prestigious Curragh marathon, but his hand was strengthened further when the Fred Winter winner sneaked into the contest as second reserve.
Although third at Galway in his last appearance on the level, the JP McManus-owned runner was second in a competitive Listed hurdle at Listowel earlier this week and showed his resolution on this quick return to the track.
Ridden by one of the weighing room's elder statesman in McCullagh, the four-year-old hit the front a furlong from home and after pulling clear of the chasing pack had enough of an advantage to repel the fast finish of Ross O'Sullivan's 66-1 runner-up Chally Chute by half a length.
It was O'Brien's second Cesarewitch success in the last three years after Magellan Strait in 2023.
Black Caviar Gold quickened up smartly to claim the Weld Park Stakes and mark herself out as an exciting prospect in the process at HQ.
A stylish winner of a Cork maiden last time out, the Paddy Twomey-trained youngster took the step into Group Three company in her stride and always looked to be going well under Billy Lee, who was in no rush aboard the 4-1 chance.
However, it was when asked to up the ante that the daughter of Havana Grey advertised her star quality, showing a deadly turn of foot to creep into contention then surge two and three-quarter lengths clear of the runner-up Pivotal Attack - reversing the form of her Galway debut in late July.
Twomey (above) said: "She's a nice filly and we've taken our time with her and let her come to us. She won impressively on rain-softened ground the last day and I thought she was ready for a step into this company.
"The plan had been to be a bit handier, but she just missed the kick. Billy said she went through the race lovely and ideally he could have done with a lead for a bit longer, but he thinks she is a classy filly.
"She's learning about racing as she goes. She had sore shins in the spring and that's why I was looking for softer ground this year. I think as she gets older and gets stronger it (the ground) will make no difference.
"She's had four runs, and I'd say that will be it for this year."
Art Power showed his love for the Curragh once again to win the Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Renaissance Stakes for a third time.
Tim Easterby's admirable eight-year-old has some fine form figures at the Kildare track, and having won the race in both 2021 and 2022, relished the return to six furlongs to register his 10th career success and first since scooping Group One honours at British Champions Day in 2023.
Sent off 11-2 and immediately to the fore under regular ally David Allan, the grey cut a fine sight blazing his way on the front-end before showing tremendous bravery to hold off Paddy Twomey’s King Cuan by a neck.
Karl Burke’s fellow British raider Spycatcher was a further half-length adrift in third, with Art Power made 16-1 from 40s by Paddy Power for a repeat of his 2023 heroics in the British Champions Sprint Stakes on October 18.
Winning rider Allen said: "It’s taken him a while to get his head back in front, but he has a love affair with the Curragh.
"He ran really well here first time out this year and last time, five furlongs is probably too sharp for him nowadays.
"He gallops out well – soft ground and six (furlongs) he can run them into the ground and take all the speed out of them. He’s as tough as they come even at his age and is a very willing partner.
"To still have that enthusiasm is a credit to him."
