Astronaute burns off Rockingham rivals El Astronaute proved a class act when making all to claim a big pot in the €125,000 Tote Rockingham Handicap at the Curragh this evening. The John Quinn-trained gelding was doubling up in the five-furlong feature event tonight having also landed a Listed contest at Cork on his last visit to Ireland 13 days ago. Jason Hart's mount showed plenty of early toe to grab the lead on the stand's side in the dash and travelled best passing the two pole as he pressed on the outer by fellow raiders Just Glamorous and stable-mate Lord Riddiford. The Approve gelding picked up well when asked for an effort going to the furlong marker and kept on best in the closing stages to record a length success. Manshood stuck on to claim the runner-up spot with Rapid Reaction faring best of the home tea, in third. Sean Quinn, “Fair play to Jason Hart. Coming over we asked him how he might like to ride him and he said I’ve a plan in my mind to head for the stands’ rail and try and get off by myself. He’s a hard horse to catch when he’s let loose, and that was a classy performance off top-weight.   “I don’t think he wants extremes of ground and most horses don’t. He doesn’t handle rattling hard ground and he doesn’t want it heavy.   “He’s in the Sapphire Stakes back here next month, and there is plenty of prize-money on offer again.   “Lord Riddiford has also run a fine race and I’m disappointed for him and his owners that he just got caught for fourth late on but he’s only a four-year-old and I’m sure he’s got bigger days ahead of him.   “El Astronaute is six and he’s in the form of his life. Some of them can get better as they get older.”   Paddy Power make El Astronaute 7/1 for the Sapphire Stakes. (Quotes by Alan Magee)
