Longbourn (red) beats Old Faithful © Photo Healy Racing
Longbourn (14/1) registered his fourth career victory when landing the Dublin To Bahrain Handicap under James Ryan,
The consistent Mukhadram gelding, owned by Amanda Torrens, tracked the leaders before Ryan sent him on under two furlongs out and he proved more resolute than runner-up Old Faithful who lugged in behind the half-length winner in the closing stages.
“He ran a nice race the day in Gowran and the form had stacked up,” said trainer Ross O'Sullivan.
“He's rated 94 and I thought he was fairly capped at that. I thought we might struggle off that level.
“For him to go and win this evening was a big surprise. I thought he'd run his race and run well but I thought he might be well held off 94.
“It's hard to believe an eight-year-old could be improving. Conditions suited lovely, they barely put a print in it and everything went so smoothly through the whole race.
“Shane Foley was supposed to ride him but in fairness he said yesterday morning that we needed to claim off him and the 5lb was probably the key. He needed every bit of it just to help him.
“He'll probably go back to the race he won in Dundalk last year, the Red God.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
