Francis Of Assisi gets the better of Big Break in Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
When Pat Smullen’s distinctive pink cap was seen cutting through the field to lead on Big Break in the Listed Knockaire Stakes, favourite backers must have been getting ready to collect but they were foiled by Francis Of Assisi #8217;s power-packed finish.
Seamie Heffernan again was seen to good effect bringing his mount through on the outer to nail the favourite and win by a length and a half at odds of 9/2 in this seven-furlong event. He had been 13/2 this morning so didn't go unbacked.
This brought up a Foxrock double for Aidan O’Brien and Seamie Heffernan.
"He had some very good form on soft ground, but he disappointed at the Curragh the last day as he didn't enjoy the ground. He has been working nicely and he will be back next year," Seamie Heffernan said.
Big Break, the runner up was returned at 2/1. She was two and a quarter lengths in front of 33/1 outsider Pop Art in third.
Francis Of Assisi was returning to form after finishing 18th in the Cambridgeshire on good to firm ground. Prior to that he won a six furlong maiden in Naas when the going was heavy.
Additional reporting by Donal Murphy
