Zoffany bounces back for O'Brien

Johann Zoffany bounced back from his lacklustre Royal Ascot performance to make every yard of the running in the William Fry Derby Festival Handicap at the Curragh.The winner is trained by Aidan O'Brien and it was his 16-year-old son Joseph who steered the 8-1 chance to a comfortable success by two and a half lengths. O'Brien snr said: "He was slowly away at Ascot and got further back than he wanted, but he is a tough horse and is progressive." Walk On Bye overcame a troubled passage to lead right on the line and deny favourite Mister Tee in the Barronstown Stud EBF Maiden. Tommy Stack's 100-30 chance travelled smoothly throughout the six-furlong contest, but repeatedly found the door being slammed shut as she tried to break through between rivals. Wayne Lordan eventually brought the daughter of Danehill Dancer out wide to challenge and she poked her nose in front for a short-head verdict. Stack's son and assistant, Fozzy, said: "She would have been an unlucky loser and got stuck in a pocket, which can happen here. She has always shown plenty of pace and likes an ease in the ground. "We will look at a stakes race next, but she is in the Million race later in the year, and there should be ease in the ground come September." A long-term plan came to fruition for trainer James Halpin as he saddled Headford View (10-1) to a last-gasp success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Summer Fillies Handicap.Punters were roaring home 9-2 favourite Hallie's Comet through the final furlong, only for Fran Berry to produce Halpin's mare and snatch the valuable seven-furlong event by a short head.