DRAGON SLAYER

LAST year’s Derby favourite Sir Dragonet again had no fire in his belly when slayed by Numerian on the opening day of the Irish Flat season at Naas yesterday.

The Devoy Stakes looked the perfect opportunity for the Aidan O’brien-trained Sir Dragonet, fifth behind Anthony Van Dyck in last season’s Derby, to get his head in front.

Sent off the 8-15 favourite, it looked to be money in the bank approaching the final furlong, before Numerian and Declan Mcdonagh swooped late to snatch the prize.

O’brien earlier had to play second fiddle to his former boss Jim Bolger when Poetic Flare proved too strong for Lipizzaner in the opening maiden stakes.

It was Bolger’s fourth win in the contest in the last 10 runnings, one of which came with Poetic Flare’s sire Dawn Approach in 2012.

O’brien had some consolation when Russian Emperor and Seamie Heffernan landed the finale.

Chris Hayes maintained his domination in the Madrid Handicap when partnering In From The Cold to victory for Michael Mulvany.

Hayes has now won the seven-furlong event four times in the last five years for four different trainers.

Haynes completed a double with Lemista in Park Express Stakes for trainer Ger Lyons.

Following the cancellation of Saturday’s Dubai World Cup, British horses and jockeys have now returned home.

James Doyle said: “We’re all back now. William Buick, Jamie Spencer, Oisin Murphy and Dane O’neill.

“It was a bit of a rush as they are suspending flights on Wednesday and most of them were full leaving Dubai.”