St Nic's lead horse secures Ballydoyle treble

Aidan O'Brien and his son Joseph completed a treble on a good day's work for the Ballydoyle men at Leopardstown today when St Nicholas Abbey's lead horse Justification landed the concluding Leopardstown Club Members Handicap.

Justification, which cost 550,000Gns as a yearling, had been absent for 233 days but showed no rustiness, wearing down front running Whatuthink in the straight before holding off that rival's renewed effort close home for a three parts of a length win.

O'Brien, earlier successful with top class prospects Declaration Of War and Battle Of Marengo later revealed “he (Justification) was leading St Nicholas Abbey at home last year so he'd a tough job!

“He was nicely in today and he had to stay (in winning), as the second horse was coming back at him. He'll go for another handicap next.”

Quotes from Alan Magee