Seddon routs rivals in Leopardstown opener

Seddon led early in the race and powered clear of his field on the run-in to easily land the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase at Leopardstown.

The Galaxy Horse Racing Syndicate owned nine-year-old had won over hurdles on just his third start for John McConnell in October and was running off a lower mark reverting to fences here.

Jockey Ben Harvey, who only recently turned conditional, made a race winning move after jumping just a couple of fences. Aware that there was a lack of pace, Harvey sent his mount to the front, after which he was never headed.

The chasing pack closed on the clear leader jumping what should have been the second last(last omitted due to low sun) but Harvey was merely giving Seddon a breather. He quickly kicked on again and went on to win easily.

“It's all down to the lads in the syndicate that wanted to run because I was getting very watery about the ground. It seemed to make no difference to him,” said McConnell.

“He jumped great, Ben was always happy that he was going the right pace and it's great to have a guy with a brain and a clock in his head.

“I was never worried he was going too fast because Ben is such a good rider.

“On his handicap mark, compared to his hurdle mark, he was entitled to run very well.

“When he won in Cheltenham this was always the plan to come here. We thought we'd get nice ground here and then it started to rain. We got a little bit worried but what a horse.

“Mr handicapper is going to have his say now! He's going to get into the hurdle race in Cheltenham off the mark he's on now and probably the chase as well so we can do what we want and he doesn't owe us anything now.

“For some of these guys having a Leopardstown winner is as good if not better than having a Cheltenham winner as they've been coming here all their life. It's brilliant.

“He's really easy to train and I don't think we need to run him again. If we want to have a go at a real big one we'll leave him on whatever mark he's going to get.

“It's just a decision about whether to go hurdling or chasing. I didn't think he was as good over fences but he was good there today, to jump around Leopardstown like that.

“I said to Ben 'save your long one for when you need it' but he didn't really need any of them.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson