Even in hindsight it's easy to understand the bewildered punter who tried to enter the weighroom declaring that "Pasternak has f---in' won".
The photo to the finish of the Golden Pages Handicap had said Hasanat short-headed the 5 to 4 favourite, but our friend was not alone in his disbelief. It really was that close.
Even Hasanat's trainer Kevin Prendergast had been preparing himself for the worst before the result was called. "I honestly thought the horse on the inside had held on," Prendergast said, but he was happy to pick up a prize he was winning for the first time under its current banner but which he won previously with Conor Pass (1974), Old Oak Tree (1981) and Salacious (1983.)
However, the destiny of the race was decided nine furlongs earlier. The heavily-backed Pasternak took his customary furious pull once the gates opened, but the other riders declined George Duffield's invitation to kick on and set a decent pace. The result was that Pasternak never settled and was still pulling Duffield's arms out as Angellino led into the straight on sufferance.
Duffield kicked early in the stretch and it looked briefly as if Pasternak would be swamped. To his credit, the Cambridgeshire winner fought on like a lion, but when David McCabe, having his first ride for Prendergast, produced Hasanat, the finish was guaranteed to be hectic.
It was a short-head verdict that will be a huge boost to Navan-born McCabe, who returned to Ireland this season from a successful period riding for David Loder in Newmarket. He rode 160 winners in Britain but in terms of the future this could be his most significant winner yet.
"My staff and jockeys told me he was the best 8st rider in the country, so when Willie Supple was unavailable, I booked him," said Prendergast.
Duffield said afterwards: "The lack of pace probably beat me. It was one of those positions where I couldn't actually get behind horses and he's not the easiest ride anyway. Maybe he might have been better in front but then he might have cocked his ears.
"He's tough, though. The other horse actually got a head in front but he fought back, and if they had raced closer together, I think I'd have won. Pasternak will probably have to go up to Listed and Group Three class now."
Fairy Ridge finished third in this race, but his jockey Colm O'Donoghue subsequently received a five-day ban from the stewards for careless riding.
Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood will have a pleasant video to watch tomorrow night when he returns from playing in Spain, as his filly Joleah sprang a 14 to 1 surprise in the Listed Challenge Stakes.
Joleah made all the running and held off the favourite, Dabaya, by half a length. "It's a pity Ron isn't here. Only once have I managed to get him to the races on the right day," said Jessica Harrington, who added: "Wayne gave her a brilliant ride."
Half an hour later, however, it was a different story for Smith as he was unshipped from Elida on the way to the start of the big race and was taken to hospital with a suspected fractured wrist.
The Rochestown Stakes was impressively won by Pharmacist, who will now try to emulate her dam, Pharoahs Delight, and win the Heinz 57 Stakes. "She's not as good as her mother yet, but she will improve and must have a respectable shot," said Dermot Weld.
Charlie Swan will be examined 24 hours before the start of the Galway festival to see if he will be able to ride.
He suffered two fractured ribs and a bruised back at Killarney on Thursday and the Turf Club medical officer Dr Walter Halley said: "I will review Charlie's situation before Galway, but at the moment I can't tell if he will be able to ride there."
Luca Cumani has declared himself satisfied with High-Rise's preparation for the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot next Saturday. "He has done well since Epsom and his preparation has been very good," said Cumani on Saturday.
