Ice Cold In Alex warms punters

Ice Cold In Alex recorded his second win in the space of three weeks and brought his career tally to four when taking the Grant Thornton Rated Race at Leopardstown.

Trained by Ken Condon for Middleham Park Racing Ireland, the 100/30 chance (from 4/1 on track) edged left when hitting the front inside the final furlong but soon settled the issue in the hands of Niall McCullagh.

The 11/8 favourite Sirjack Thomas was checked slightly and kept on to be beaten a length, with Geological a further length and a quarter away in third.

Condon said, “It was ideal conditions with lovely quick ground and seven furlongs is probably his optimum. He was just worried out of it at Naas last time by a filly from Coolcullen who kept going like they always do from down there.

“They went a nice even pace and Niall was delighted with him. He seems to be in very good form at the moment and may come back here for Champions Weekend. He’ll probably be entered over six (at the Curragh) as well.

“The way he likes to be ridden with a full field you would want all the gaps and all the luck. Connections are getting great fun from him.”

Incidentally it was a great day for the McCullagh family as Niall’s son Scott won aboard La Isla Bonita at Yarmouth this afternoon.