Artist signs off good evening for connections

It was a big evening for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane with a double (including an important Listed success) at Leopardstown but Tony Martin also saddled a brace of winners on the evening and Fran Berry topped them all with a hat-trick. The treble was brought up in the concluding Compass Group Ireland Handicap on Artful Artist

Artful Artist is a half-brother to one of Berry's earlier winners, Pyromaniac and that one is also owned and trained by Newtown Anner Stud Farm Ltd and Tony Martin.

Artful Artist was the 6/4 favourite to follow up on his win from this day last week at Down Royal and he came from off the pace down the outer in the straight, leading inside the final furlong and going on for a comfortable three length success over Naoise

Martin explained: "Great thanks must go to John Breslin who put the owners my way and it's worked out well for everyone.

"Fifteen pounds was a lot (for his Down Royal win) but you can't argue with the handicapper after that."

S. Foley, rider of Tafkeer trained by P.A.Fahy, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount never travelled. (AM & EM)