McAteer shines on Visit to grab first group winner

Luke McAteer made his first ride in a Group 3 a winning one when getting Flying Visit home in a tight finish to the Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown.

It capped a brilliant day for trainer Jim Bolger who had landed the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy with Mac Swiney at Doncaster approximately 45 minutes earlier.

Flying Visit was making his tenth outing of the season and having won in Listowel late last month had been runner-up on three occasions since.

The Pride Of Dubai gelding settled behind the leaders in today's nine-furlong contest before being asked to make up ground turning for home.

He hit the front over a furlong from home and battled gamely when tackled by Wuqood in the closing stages to post a head victory at odds of 10/3.

The winner had veered across the track when winning at Listowel and McAteer said:-

“He was a bit more straight-forward today. Kevin told me, if I could, to win without the stick as he felt he was resenting it a bit.

“He stuck at it well, in fairness. I'm just delighted, it's a great day for the whole team with the Group 1 winner in England as well.

“I'm very grateful for the chances I've had. That's 25 winners for the season and it's been a great year.”

Dermot Weld said of runner-up Wuqood: “He's the horse I'd take out of the day for next year. I was delighted with him.

“You'll see a lot of improvement in him next year.

“We were obviously disappointed with his run at the Curragh but he ran too far too free.

“Today he probably switched off too well and we had a lot of ground to make up in the straight. He was coming home.

“He's still a big baby and hopefully he can make a lot of progress next year, especially going a mile-and-a-half.”