Leopardstown beginner set for veteran venture

Today's Leopardstown beginners chase winner My Manekineko will take the road less travelled by stepping straight into veteran chase company on his next start, as the James Nash trained gelding bagged a sixth career success.

Today's chase was confined to horses rated 0-109 over hurdles and was thus a less orthodox race for the venue. Nonetheless My Manekineko, contesting his 21st chase, made the most of his trip to 'the big smoke' as the 11yo scored a two and a quarter lengths win over In Your Shadow

Nash partnered Florida Pearl to a 1996 bumper win prior to him winning his beginners chase at Leopardstown the following year, and today's race conditions weren't lost on the winning trainer who later quipped “that was worth waiting for although I'm not sure he deserved to win a Leopardstown novice chase! But it was great.

“He was a horse that we kept going for Gavin (Brouder, winning jockey) to get him experience and it seems to be working out for both of them. Gavin is improving away with him.

“I thought when I saw the conditions for 109 or less there would be six runners and he'd be the best horse in the race but of course in Ireland it's that competitive.

“He's 109 over both hurdles and fences so couldn't really be better in. It's great that it's worked out.

“I have him qualified for the final of a veterans chase for conditional riders in Newbury in three weeks. That's where he'll go now, it's a big pot and it'll suit the jockey and the horse.”

Quotes from Gary Carson