Aeronautic and Declan McDonogh© Photo Healy Racing
The Joseph O'Brien trained Aeronautic followed up his recent Dundalk maiden win when staying on powerfully inside the final furlong to land the BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Rated Race at Leopardstown.
A promising fifth on his racecourse debut at Gowran Park last month, the Gleneagles colt stepped up in trip to open his account on the all-weather on his second start.
Up an additional three furlongs here, the colt seemed to relish the stamina test, as he just got better the further he went.
Travelling nicely in fourth entering the straight, McDonogh moved second two furlongs out, before throwing down his challenge to leader Blackpool over a furlong from home.
Leading before that marker, the 10/1 chance quickly mastered that rival before stretching clear for a four-and-a-quarter length win over the staying on Barnso
“He won well. He won nicely in Dundalk the last day and it was an impressive performance today, he quickened up well and he's a progressive horse,” said O'Brien.
“He was much straighter today and the rail was a help. I thought he quickened up well, they went a good even tempo and there was no hiding place.
“It's nice to have a nice horse for the Newtown Anner team. I suppose he's heading for stakes race now, or at least a good handicap.
“I think anything like that (ground) or better is fine for him. I don't think he wants it too slow.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
