Mandamus and Leigh Roche© Photo Healy Racing
Fresh from his Punchestown festival charity race fourth placing under Joanne Lavery, Mandamus proved best in the Fitzpatrick Gallagher McEvoy Solicitors Handicap today at Leopardstown. Sanus Per Aquam went off a well backed favourite for this mile and a half event and he tried to make every post a winning one under Kevin Manning.
However he couldn't raise his effort from over a furlong out and Mandamus soon powered through in the hands of Leigh Roche to notch up a length and three parts win from Three Jacks
Winning trainer Sheila Lavery said of the 7/1 victor: "I was really worried about the ground as he'd never run on good to firm but he's five now so I thought we'd let him take his chance. He ran a great race last week in the charity race (at Punchestown), so I haven't done much with him since.
"Leigh says that is his trip, so I'll see what I can find for him over a mile and four. He'll mix it a bit with jumping as that really smartens him up. He absolutely loves jumping a hurdle and is very good. We expected him to win in Cork but he came back coughing."
(AM & EM)
