Twilight Payment shows grit to land Curragh Cup for Jim Bolger

Twilight Payment dug deep to see off all-comers in the Comer Group International Curragh Cup at the County Kildare track.

There was drama before the Group Two contest got under way when the stands were briefly evacuated due to a fire alarm.

It delayed proceedings by nine minutes, but there were no such problems in the race for jockey Kevin Manning and Twilight Payment, as Jim Bolger’s six-year-old made most of the running.

Latrobe, the 2018 Irish Derby hero, looked a serious threat in the straight, but there was no stopping the 7-1 chance, who held on by a neck to go two places better than 12 months ago.

The Luke Comer-owned and trained Raa Atoll, representing the race sponsors, was two and three-quarter lengths away in third.

“He’s a great looker and he has the ability to match the looks,” said Bolger.

“We’ll aim him at the Irish Leger and he’ll probably go for the trial race before that.

“It’s amazing, he’s a six-year-old and he’s still improving.”

Twilight Payment was given a quote of 50-1 for the Melbourne Cup with Paddy Power.