Twilight Payment back for another crack at Irish St Leger

Talented stayer Twilight Payment makes a second appearance in the G1 Irish St Leger, one of the highlights on day two of the Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh, Ireland, on Sunday, 16 September. 

The Jim Bolger-trained five-year-old finished sixth in the 14-furlong Classic 12 months ago, but returns in excellent form, having gone down by a neck to Flag Of Honour over the course and distance in the G3 Irish St Leger Trial on 25 August. 

The son of Teofilo also ran well over 14 furlongs at the Curragh when third in the G2 Curragh Cup on 1 July and gained the second of two Listed victories with a comfortable success in the Listed Her Majesty’s Plate at Down Royal on 27 July. 

Twilight Payment, the mount of Kevin Manning as usual, takes on five rivals, with Flag Of Honour and G1 Irish Derby victor Latrobe set to provide the main opposition. 

Jimmy Hyland of Godolphin said: “Twilight Payment ran very well to finish second in the trial for this race. 

“That was probably his best run to date and, if he can step up on that, it will hopefully put him in the shake-up.”

Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning also team up with recent Listed winner Panstarr, who makes a quick reappearance in the 10-furlong G2 Blandford Stakes after staying on gamely for a neck verdict in the Listed Listowel Stakes over a furlong shorter at Listowel on 10 September. 

The consistent four-year-old Pivotal filly scored over the Blandford Stakes course and distance when making all in a premier handicap at this fixture 12 months ago and finished second in the mile G3 Park Express Stakes at Naas in March. 

She faces eight fillies and mares including G1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks third Eziyra and Curragh G3 winner I’m So Fancy. 

Jimmy Hyland added: “Panstarr is making a quick return, but Jim Bolger said she came out of her win at Listowel very well. 

“Any rain will help, as she likes to get her toe in, and she is a filly on the up. We are hoping that she can continue her improvement and run a nice race.”