Five up for the Ballydoyle team© Photo Healy Racing
The evening belonged to the Ballydoyle team at Leopardstown - Aidan O'Brien (five winners) and his son Joseph (four), as their accumulator checked in at odds of 68/1 with impressive newcomer Hallmark putting the cherry on top in the concluding Live At Leopardstown Maiden.
Following on from Lieutenant General (Joseph), The Crewmaster (Joseph), Fields Of Athenry (Seamie Heffernan) and Ivanovich Gorbatov (Joseph), Hallmark was equipped with a tongue-strap and blinkers staring off in this mile five heat.
Anyone with any concerns on that score, needn't have had, as Hallmark didn't need to come off the bridle to see off Kennady by two and a quarter lengths.
"We thought we had a few good chances this evening but usually it doesn't turn out the way you think it might. It's been a good evening," reflected Joseph O'Brien.
"The horses are in good form. They are running well and are very fit.
"He's been working okay at home and we thought he'd win a maiden somewhere along the road but didn't think he'd win like that. Christy Geoghegan rides him out.
"I was waiting for him to blow up in my hands but sure he won on the bridle and hopefully he can do it again."
(GC & EM)
