Hurricane Lane storms home to deny Frankie Dettori and Lone Eagle in thrilling Irish Derby at the Curragh

BLUE was the colour in yet another Derby as Hurricane Lane gave Charlie Appleby his second Classic win this month.

Just three weeks after finishing third to his stablemate Adayar at Epsom, the exciting colt went two places better in the Irish version at the Curragh.

Hurricane Lane denied Lone Eagle close home for a British 1-2 at the Curragh

It sets up the mouthwatering prospect of a big Godolphin head-to-head in the St Leger later this season.

But a cautious Appleby said: “We will take a breath and enjoy this before deciding future targets.”

Named after the storm that battered Hawaii in 2018, Hurricane Lane left his rivals in a spin under an inspired William Buick.

The big race was run at a relentless gallop, with Aidan O’Brien’s rank outsider Matchless employed in a pacesetting role.

Frankie Dettori was the first to commit for home on Martyn Meade’s Lone Eagle, and he looked to have pinched an unassailable lead in the straight.

But Hurricane Lane knuckled down inside the final furlong and nailed Lone Eagle near the line for a British 1-2, with a huge gap back to the rest.

All eyes were on hot favourite High Definition heading into the race – but he was more silent movie than blockbuster hit as he trailed home in a dismal 10th.

A delighted Buick said: “That was fantastic. He ran very well at Epsom and he has improved since then.

“Frankie got first run on us so it was a huge performance to overhaul him in the finish.

“I always thought I was getting there, he kept picking up for me and he won well in the end.

“He is probably a horse that is still maturing and he is definitely still progressing.”

Appleby added: “He does look like a St Leger type, as does Adayar, and that would be a lovely race to win.

“Adayar will go to the King George next and we will make plans for both of them after that race.”

Nicholas T caused a 33-1 upset in the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’ at Newcastle

Coral slashed Hurricane Lane’s odds for the St Leger to 4-1 from 8s, with Adayar the 3-1 favourite.

The Northumberland Plate, known as the ‘Pitmen’s Derby’, was no less dramatic as 33-1 shot Nicholas T came from last to first to spring a shock.

Victory in the £150,000 handicap was the biggest of young jock Ben Robinson’s career.

He grinned: “I’m lost for words. This horse just keeps pulling it out of the bag.

“I was worried about stepping up to two miles but he settled lovely out the back and he has won it easily enough in the end.”

Winning trainer Jim Goldie added: “I’m over the moon – that race was on my bucket list.”

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