17:55 Well that’s it from my first visit to Leopardstown, I have to say amongst the best Irish courses I have visited.
It has been hard work, with big fields, horses and colours I do not know and only half hour gaps between races but enjoyable nonetheless.
I have four hours until my flight so the question is do I pop into Dublin for a meal or do I just wend my way to the airport and have something to eat there?
From a now overcast Dublin a very good evening.
17:50 If you want to spot the handicapper here at Leopardstown look for a man with a big smile on his face as he must be delighted with the bunch finish in the final race.
Anything that happened in the first mile and a quarter of the contest is, in a way, something of an irrelevance as the final quarter of a mile turned out to be a re-enactment of the Charge Of Light Brigade, without any of the carnage.
It was one of those races where it was difficult to be absolutely confident about the winner even in the dying strides.
As it was Leah Claire, who had first run, managed to hold on by a short head from Champion Boy who was in front a stride after the line.
It wasn’t far back to Hawk Flight in third and joint favourite Denny Crane in fourth. The other joint favourite, Rainforest Magic, was sixth.
An excellent handicap to round off a good afternoons racing for the Bank Holiday crowd.
17:19 Just to really wind up the punters our longest race, 1½ miles, and our biggest field as 22 line up for the Elmwood Handicap – easy!!!
Aliwiyya is swishing her tail and Premier Rouge is pulling. White Diamond the marginal pick.
17:12 The big question after this race is how on earth did Famous Name go off odds-against?
For the second time this afternoon Pat Smullen had a steering job, as Famous Name come home the facile winner of the Trigo Stakes for the second time in two years .
With an odds-on tissue price it is hard to see how he went off at such a price, although I must admit I am not complaining personally.
Settled mid-division Smullen sent the favourite to the front in the home straight and soon pulled clear – race over – coming home an eased seven lengths clear.
Devoted To You, doing her best in the closing stages took second, with Choose Me third.
Rain Forest took a strong hold to lead but faded late on.
16:48 Our second feature contest of the day is the Lister Trigo Stakes over 1¼ miles.
We also have another “talking horse” in Famous Name, who some say is one of the best horses in Ireland in terms of attitude, a winner at Group One level and a five time winner here.
He looks a delight. Also catching the eye is Riynaaz from the Oxx yard.
Big negative is Rain Forest, frothing as though he has rabies.
16:39 Yet another cracking finish with Super Say who, with late money, was backed into favouritism, getting the better of the bottom weight Hedaaya.
The pair joined battle a furlong out and it looked as though Hedaaya was going to do the favourite but Super Say always seemed to find a little bit more under Ben Curtis and he held on by a neck.
The deposed favourite, Duc De Savoie was a further ¾ of a length back in third place, with Carazan a running on fourth.
This was the final of teh apprentice series which was wopn by Lee Roche, who rides for Dermot Weld and he recorded six winners in the series.
16:19 Up to 1m 1f next for the Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap Final with 12 going to post.
Money Trader is getting warm, Super Say has two handlers, though not sure why as he is quite relaxed.
16:11 Almost a feeling of déjà vu in this race with a front runner being headed a furlong out.
This time the front runner was Dan Noir, who has set a steady pace, initially sharing the work with Prince Of Fashion.
However it was all change at the end as Jeangeorges made a dash for home with what looked like a decisive lead, only to be chased home by the closing favourite.
As was the case in the last race the favourite was denied by the line with Astrakham failing to win by a closing head.
Ted Dolly was also running on well at the end for third, a length behind the front pair.
The front running Dan Noir held on for fourth.
There was some drama at the start when Cullofane did a “Hamlet” and refused to come out of the stalls.
15:49 Just when you thought it could not get any harder we have a 20 runner handicap, another mile contest, the Irish Blue Cross Handicap.
Even more frustratingly no real clues from the parade ring, where they all look average handicappers.
Daisy Buchanan is a big horse.
15:41 For the first time this afternoon what I call a “typical” Irish finish, where the entire complexion of the race changed in the closing stages.
Last Crusade set out to make all and two out Callum O’Donoghue set off for home with what looked like a decisive run.
However he was chased by Tiz The Shot, who had been with the pace throughout and inside the final furlong Tiz The Shot went into the lead with what also looked like a decisive run.
It was then Pat Smullen launched a late charge on the favourite and he was closing with every stride, however the line came in time for Tiz The Shot, who prevailed by a diminishing half a length.
Pirate Chest was another coming late to grab third, albeit five lengths behind the front pair.
Massabini was a running on fourth, with Justification fifth.
This looked a tricky maiden on paper yet the betting was a good guide with the top three in the betting filling the top three places.
15:18 Up to a mile for race four, an easy one for punters as 19 two-year-old maidens line up for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (Colts and Geldings) Maiden.
Justification was whinnying in the parade ring, First Sea Lord is getting warm and Tiz The Shot has two handlers and is pulling very hard.
15:09 A good nursery and the handicapper must have been really happy as they turned for home the field were well bunched with almost five abreast.
However the advantage was held by Annamay, who had held a narrow lead from the start under Kieren O’Neill.
However as they lined up for home he kicked home getting a start on his rivals and it was just as well he did as the field were closing inside the final furlong.
Leading the charge was the top weight Burrenbridge Lodge who was eating up the ground but was only able to get within a length of the winner.
The favourite Port Elizabeth was another coming late, coming home a further 1¾ lengths back in third.
It was very close for fourth with Thegondolier just getting the not over Baiadilla Beach, both of whom had raced prominently.
14:49 The races are coming too fast, race three is another seven furlong contest, the Horse Racing Ireland Pensioners Nursery with 16 going to post.
Alpha And Omega and Annamay both slightly on their toes and Thegondolier is pulling slightly. Nothing stands out in parade ring.
14:43 Looks like Dubai Prince off to Godolphin, although Dermot Weld says he will talk to Sheik Mohamed to try and persuade him to keep horse with him
14:40 Well Dubai Prince was sent off the 4/9 favourite and he won as such a short priced winner should do.
Catalpa Sail and Petronius Maximus set the pace and Pat Smullen on the favourite allowed them a decent lead settled in third place.
As they turned for home Smullen was with the leaders and after two out he hit the front pulling clear.
He opened a decent lead before easing towards the end, recording a 3½ length victory but value for much more.
It was a Michael Tabor 2-3-4 with Warning Flag coming home second, followed by Park Avenue and Ruling.
The winner confirmed his debut form and it would have been interesting to see how well he would have done had he run at Doncaster last Saturday.
14:20 One of our two feature races next, the Group 3 JRA Killavullan Stakes another seven furlong contest, with eight going to post.
All eyes will be on Dubai Prince who beat impressive Racing Post Trophy runner-up Seville on debut and, no surprise is expected to go off odds-on.
Also no surprise he is the paddock pick, having said that they all look good, the only negative being the filly Obligada who is on her toes.
14:13 A family affair in the opener as Stylish One, trained by Jim Boger, owned by his wife Jackie and ridden by son-in-law Kevin Manning, lived up to her name and came home the 14/1 winner, having been prominent throughout.
Short priced favourite Eva’s Time was very reluctant to go into the stalls and although making some progress late on was not able to get past the winner.
The same can be said of third placed Quaintly who came home in third spot.
John Oxx's Annacurra was prominent before fading quickly in the closing stages, will probably be better at 6f
13:41 Best looking in the parade ring is Quaintly. Emiyna was rearing in the pre-parade ring, Union City Blues and Forever Glory are on their toes.
13:27 As is often the case in Ireland there are some big fields this afternoon and we get underway with the 17 runner Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies’ Maiden, a seven furlong contest for two year olds.
A nightmare of a contest with 8 of the runners making their racecourse debut.
13:25 When doing some research before coming out here today I read Leopardstown is described as Irelands Sandown and I can see the similarity, even though they race the other way round.
It is very reminiscent of a UK park course, it even has a golf course and driving range in the centre of the course, just as at Sandown.
To my delight it is very easy to get to from the airport with a coach service directly from the airport to a point a mere ten minute walk from the racecourse gates, taking an hour and only costing €8.
12:25 The official going is Good to Firm, Good in the Straight, thanks to ATR’s Gary O’Brien for that.
12:06 Good afternoon from a lovely sunny Leopardstown, my first visit to this course and first impressions are very positive.
The eight race card gets underway at 13:55 and there is currently one non-runner.
I will let you know the official going as soon as I can find somebody to tell me what it is.
Return to race archive:
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Non-Runners
The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.
SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate
Non-runners
13:55
14 Puzzled
19 Thistle Thunder
20 The Quiet Hawk
21 Maggie Neary
15:55
1 Balladiene
22 Countess Salome
23 Maunsells Duke
17:25
13 Space Race
24 The Seanachie
Results
13:55 Maiden 7f
| 1st |
16 Stylish One |
14/1 |
| 2nd |
7 Eva's Time |
11/10 fav |
| 3rd |
15 Quaintly |
6/1 |
| Tote Win £21.10 |
|
| Places £4.50, £1.02, £3.00, |
| Exacta £111.20 |
|
| CSF £34.39 |
|
| Distances neck, 3/4l |
|
| 17 ran |
|
| Non runners 14, 19, 20, 21 |
| Time 1' 30.08" |
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14:25 Stakes 7f
| 1st |
2 Dubai Prince |
4/9 fav |
| 2nd |
7 Warning Flag |
4/1 |
| 3rd |
4 Park Avenue |
12/1 |
| Tote Win £1.40 |
|
| Places £1.02, £1.30, £1.90 |
| Exacta £3.20 |
|
| SF |
|
|
| Distances 3 1/2l, 1 3/4 l |
|
| 8 ran |
|
| Time 1' 28.13" |
|
14:55 Nursery 7f
| 1st |
12 Annamay |
16/1 |
| 2nd |
1 Burrenbridge Lodge |
8/1 |
| 3rd |
6 Port Elizabeth |
4/1 fav |
| 4th |
3 Thegondolier |
9/1 |
| Tote Win £15.90 |
|
| Places £2.80, £2.10, £1.50, £2.00 |
| Exacta £224.90 |
|
| Distances 1l |
|
| 16 ran |
|
| Time 1' 31.28" |
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15:25 Maiden 1m
| 1st |
19 Tiz The Shot |
7/2 |
| 2nd |
12 Notable Graduate |
3/1 fav |
| 3rd |
14 Pirate Chest |
7/2 |
| Tote Win £4.20 |
|
| Places £2.10, £1.90, £1.40 |
|
| Exacta £24.60 |
|
| Distances 1/2l, 5l |
|
| 19 ran |
|
| Time 1' 41.20" |
|
15:55 Handicap 1m
| 1st |
7 Jeangeorges |
13/2 |
| 2nd |
3 Astrakham |
5/1 fav |
| 3rd |
9 Ted Dolly |
6/1 |
| 4th |
16 Dan Noir |
14/1 |
| Tote Win £7.00 |
|
| Places £2.10, £1.60, £2.10, £4.90 |
| Exacta £45.10 |
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| Distances head, 1l, 1 1/l |
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| 20 ran |
|
| Non runners 1, 22, 23 |
|
| Time 1' 42.15" |
|
16:25 Handicap 1m 1f
| 1st |
3 Super Say |
7/2 fav |
| 2nd |
12 Hedaaya |
5/1 |
| 3rd |
8 Duc De Savoie |
4/1 |
| Tote Win £4.70 |
|
| Places £1.60, £1.90, £2.00 |
| Exacta £20.70 |
|
| Distances head, 3/4l |
|
| 12 ran |
|
| Time 1' 54.45" |
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16:55 Listed Stakes 1m 2f
| 1st |
1 Famous Name |
11/8 fav |
| 2nd |
10 Devoted To You |
9/1 |
| 3rd |
4 Choose Me |
7/1 |
| Tote Win £2.10 |
|
| Places £1.02, £3.10, £2.90 |
| Exacta £16.60 |
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| Distances 7l, 1 1/4l |
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| 14 ran |
|
| Time 2' 05.03" |
|
17:25 Handicap 1m 4f
| 1st |
6 Leah Claire |
9/1 |
| 2nd |
17 Champion Boy |
16/1 |
| 3rd |
1 Hawk Flight |
12/1 |
| 4th |
5 Denny Crane |
6/1 jf |
| Tote Win £8.30 |
|
| Places £2.70, £4.00, £3.40, £2.80 |
| Exacta £82.00 |
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| Distances short head, 1/2l, 3/4l |
| 22 ran |
|
| Non runners 13, 24 |
|
| Time 2' 34.49" |
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