Bookmakers had the last laugh at Leopardstown this evening when the Charles O’Brien trained 20/1 outsider Laughing under Wayne Lordan, edged out 4/7 favourite Notable Graduate in a four-way finish to the concluding Listed Nijinsky Stakes.

Notable Graduate looked held a furlong out but rallied well close home although Laughing, to her credit, also stayed on gamely and held a short head lead at the line. Haziyna and Banksters Bonus filled the placings.

Afterwards O’Brien reported “an hour ago I nearly took her out of the race as the rain was getting into the ground! However the lads said they were getting through it ok.”

“She settled well today, that was the key, because if she failed to settle she wouldn’t have got home. It wasn’t a bad little race and at least now we knew she stays and that opens up a range of options.”

Thomas Weekes