Leopardstown leader Larado © Photo Healy Racing
Trainer Joseph O'Brien completed a treble at Leopardstown today as his Larado (11/1) landed the Hollypark Handicap, to provide jockey Declan McDonogh with a double on the day.
The three year old son of Shalaa was today having his first run since October and made all the running when holding on for a head and a neck win over faster-finishing pair, runner-up Vocito and third-placed Buzz Of New York
Brendan Powell, representing the trainer, later reported “he broke smart (from stall 1) and the blinkers obviously helped. It’s amazing the difference the draw can make around here.
“Declan said he was a little bit keen early but he was left alone in front and he was able to quicken up all the way up the straight. He wasn’t sure if he was going to hold on but he toughed it out.
“He’s a beautiful mover, is a good looking horse and was an expensive enough (€280,000) breeze up horse.
“He’s a big horse and it’s probably taken him a while. He was never going to be a real two-year-old. He’s got his head in front and hopefully he’ll go and do it again now.”
Jockey McDonogh had earlier partnered O'Brien's Southern Lights to win a maiden while Dancing Approach under Shane Crosse, was the middle-leg of the trainer's treble.
Quotes from Alan Magee
