O'Leary brings down the curtain with a winner

Ger O’Leary signed off his training career in the best possible fashion as Deluca Chop put some modest previous form behind him by rewarding support at choice prices in the DundalkStadium.com Apprentice Handicap.

The four-year-old gelding failed to trouble the judge in seven previous outings both on the Flat and over hurdles but having been available at 66/1 earlier in the day was backed just before the off from 40/1 into 14/1 on just his second start for the Curragh trainer. Power Drive and Final Fantasy set a searching pace in this extended ten-furlong event with the pair well clear of their rivals approaching the straight.

However, those exertions proved too much inside the final furlong as Deluca Chop came with a well-timed run under Dean Curran to land the spoils. Neverfindanother U was half a length back in second with Numidia

O’Leary was reluctant to discuss his plans but Curran said afterwards, “It’s the lads last runners tonight and it’s brilliant to go out with a winner.

“Ger and Adrian Joyce (assistant trainer) were very good to me when I was there and I can’t thank them enough.

“I’m with Darren Bunyan from Monday to Saturday and he has a great team of horses this year with some beautiful two-year-olds.”

He reflected on Deluca Chop’s victory adding, “He worked well during the week. They went mad in front and were always going to fall into a hole.”