Desert Haven rewards new owners

Desert Haven (14/1) gained a second success today and a first for his new owners the Knockmore Syndicate, as the Noel Meade-trained four-year-old landed Leopardstown's Spin 1038 Handicap under champion jockey Colin Keane.

The Oasis Dream gelding had previously won a Fairyhouse maiden for Meade last July and today overturned hat-trick chasing 5/6 favourite Merisi Diamond to score by a length and a half.

Meade later said “Desert Haven was one of Paul Hunt's (previous owner) horses and he let him go at the end of the season so I bought him back myself. We did a little job on his wind which helped and he goes on any ground.

“It's great because his new owners had Knockmore Prince who nearly broke our hearts last year!

“They wanted him to jump (hurdles) and he does actually jump so we'll see how we go during the summer. I don't know whether he'll get that trip or not though but it's great to start with a win for them.”

Quotes from Gary Carson