Geological maps out Foxrock victory

After a mishap in Cork last week, Geological made no mistake at Leopardstown this evening.

The 5/1 co favourite was pushed along to lead by Colin Keane after a furlong of the seven-furlong handicap.

The seven-year-old gelding hugged the rail sweeping for home a length to the good.

He was ridden a furlong and a half down and faced a stern challenge from Honor Oak as they flashed past the furlong pole.

Honor Oak could make no impression with 100 yards to go as Geological saw it out well. Atlas (5/1 co favourite) got up for second by a head from 13/2 chance Honor Oak, a length and a quarter off the winner.

Geological's saddle slipped last Friday in Cork and he unseated Stephen Mooney in the final furlong when narrowly headed.

Trainer Damian English said: “I don’t know how to explain how I felt last Friday. Thankfully Stephen (Mooney) was back riding out during the week and he might get his just desserts on Sunday. We have this lad in at Naas over a mile with a 6lb penalty and Stephen will claim 7lb.

“The horse is in great order and Colin has given him a peach. His last two rides for me have been winners and you can see why he was champion jockey.

“The ground is actually on the slow side of good tonight and he’s better on quicker ground. Hopefully it will be Naas on Sunday and then on to Limerick for the race he won last year.

“In fairness to Rory Cleary he came in after riding him one night in Dundalk over the winter and said he needed something done on his wind. We got a little job done and he’s definitely feeling the better of it.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee