Far from Tough for Talk in Laytown finale Registering his first win since his debut success nearly two and a half years ago, Tough Talk trounced his five rivals in the concluding Tote Never Beaten By SP Qualified Riders Race. Second in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes of 2022, the Ger Lyons-trained bay had been ultimately disappointing since, dropping from his initial mark of 96 to his current rating of 83. Available at 11/4 in early shows for this seven-furlong heat, the Kingman four-year-old came in for good market support, eventually going off a 15/8 joint-favourite with Quar Shamar. In a share of the lead early on under Derek O'Connor, the Moyglare Stud Farm-owned victor gained an outright advantage after two furlongs. Pushed along, he readily stretched clear with over a furlong to go and eventually came home 10-lengths in front of his market rival, with that Emmet Mullins-trained chestnut losing momentum when jumping puddles early on. "I think the whole atmosphere and the beach, the surface and the crowd just lit him up. He really enjoyed it," O'Connor reflected. "Andrew Duff (assistant trainer) told me that he works on it (beach) to a very high standard. I really appreciate Andrew's and Colin Keane's feedback on the horse as they are two very professional men. When they are behind you, you've got a chance." STEWARDS REPORT * The Raceday Stewards granted a request from Gerard O'Leary, trainer of Acotango for an additional ten minutes to present his charge for identification to an Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Official in accordance with the provisions of Rule 90 (i). Additional reporting by Michael Graham
