Nathan Crosse doubles-up on Ar Eagla Na Heagla

Ar Eagla Na Heagla completed a 59/1 double for Nathan Crosse in the concluding Leopardstown Club 30 Handicap.

Earlier successful on Raffaello the young appreciate is now on eleven winners for the current campaign.

Trained by Francis Casey, Ar Eagla Na Heagla was successful over flights at Gowran in November, disappointing on her subsequent outings at Punchestown and Fairyhouse respectively.

Back on the level this evening and having her first start since December, the daughter of Trans Island was sent off at 14/1 (25s this morning and from 14s on-course).

Settled in mid-division, the bay five-year-old was ridden on the outer from early in the straight and swept through to lead just inside the final furlong, keeping on well from there to score by three parts of a length. Universal Focus (13/2) finished second under Gary Carroll for Ross O'Sullivan, while One Cool Poet (6/1) was another half a length back in third. Percy B Shelley kept on well to finish a never nearer fourth after he was slow away from the stalls, while Time For Mabel who was sent off the easy to back 9/2 favourite, was a disappointing fifth.

"Katie O'Farrell was schooling her over fences and we were going to give her a spin on the Flat first so decided to go here rather than go somewhere else far away," said Casey.

"The plan was to go to Roscommon on the 9th for a mares beginners chase. I don't know whether we'll go back to the Flat with her or not. That's the plan and she schools well.

"She was a mare that should probably have won a couple before but didn't. She'd never had a break and I let her off before Christmas for seven weeks.

"She came back and was never right. It took ages with her, it was nothing specific but she just wasn't in the mood if nothing else.

"She's been in great form the last couple of weeks so we'd said we'd run her on the Flat before going chasing. I didn't want to go over hurdles.

"She seems a great jumper and she's a big scopey mare. I bought her as a foal for a bit of fun and sure we're having it now.

"I always love to win up here. It's a great place, it's a small race but still it's great especially when you're not expecting it."

STEWARDS REPORT

C.D. Hayes, rider of Percy B Shelley (GB) trained by Emmet Mullins, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount jumped awkwardly from stalls.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson