Justicialism and Shane Fitzgerald © Photo Healy Racing
Justicialism landed his second four-year-old handicap following up a victory at Punchestown last month in the Naas Racecourse Business Club Handicap Hurdle.
The Brian Hamilton-trained gelding appeared to have it all to do after two out but really got motoring in the closing stages under Shane Fitzgerald to score at odds of 11/2. Calvados built up a decent lead from before the third flight and was left five lengths clear when nearest rival and 7/4 favourite Magic Word fell at the last.
However, the John McConnell-trained mare couldn’t see it out and was pegged back close home by half-a-length. Great Realisation kept on one paced a further three-and-a-half lengths back in third.
Hamilton said, "He has improved after the last run, the ground seemed to help him and Shane was brilliant on him. He was flat to the boards early on but he left him work his way into it.
"We'll mind him, stick to handicap company and he'll get further in time.
"Shane was so good on him. They went so quick and he was flat to the boards but I knew they would come back. He was so cool and sat and got there on time. The win was due to the jockey more than the trainer!"
(TW & AM)
