Belgravia edges out Clongowes (rail) with Act Of Valour third© Photo Healy Racing
Belgravia wrapped up a memorable evening for Aidan O'Brien at Leopardstown when making it four on the night for Ballydoyle in the Horse Racing Organisation Of Greece SA Race. Clongowes proved a tough customer after making the running in the mile-and-a-half contest but was worn down close home by Belgravia.
Donnacha O'Brien sent his mount after the front-runner two furlongs from home but he had to work hard to get on terms inside the final furlong.
The Godolphin colt dug deep but had to give way close home as Belgravia edged ahead to gain a hard fought neck success.
The winner was taking a drop in grade having been sixth in the Group 2 Curragh Cup earlier in the month.
“A mile and six might have been stretching him a bit (last time) and back to a mile and a half he was a little bit better,” said O'Brien senior.
“Because he’s lazy you think he’s going to stay. Donnacha gave him a peach and he’s hard to just drop on the line.
“We always thought that he would stay further but a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half is his trip.”
(Additional reporting by Alan Magee)
