Cullentry Royal, orange, gets to the front in Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
As the pace collapsed in the mile and six handicap, Cullentry Royal stayed on stoutly under Robbie Downey to win for trainer Johnny Levins. Achtung blazed the trail and was joined five furlongs out by Hidden Universe who then went on into the home straight. However, as he tired he drifted to the right and the closers started to unleash their challenges.
Cullentry Royal came with a sustained run to lead 150 yards out. He had enough to hold Silk Hall and Sean Corby who kept on for second at 16/1. They were half a length down at the line, but a head in front of third-placed Truthwillsetufree the 9/4 favourite (from 7/2 this morning).
“I didn’t think he would go on the ground. I left him a couple of gallops short as we were using this race as a stepping stone. We are hoping to go for some of the better class staying races in England like the Ebor,” handler Johnny Levins said.
“He probably improved for the little break. He ran well in Dundalk and he came on for the race. He probably came on more than I thought.
“Things are going good. We were quiet over the winter with few runners, but we have a few nice horses and a couple of well-bred two-year-olds.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
