Lagostovegas and Conor Hoban on the way to victory in the penultimate at Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Three of the runners in the Shabra Charity Handicap at Leopardstown moved markedly in price from early quotes in the run up to the 8.25 event. On her first outing since a jumps effort 95 days back, 7/2 favourite Lagostovegas defied top-weight in the hands of Conor Hoban. Athenry Boy (3rd) and Phoenix Twist (5th) were the other money horses, but none of them could quite reach the Conor Hoban-ridden Lagostovegas. The victorious Footstepsinthesand filly hung on by half a length from Black Label after making all.
"That was great. It was the plan to come here and we got the rain that she needed so it worked out great," said winning trainer Harry Kelly.
"She would have liked a lead at some point and got a bit lonely in front but she won and carried top-weight.
"For a four-year-old she's still a bit green in front. I have two races in Galway in mind. The mile-and-a-half and the GPT. It depends on the handicapper and the weather."
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Poker Gold (FR), trained by Emmet Mullins, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have a nasal discharge post race.
D.E. Mullins, rider of Poker Gold (FR), trained by Emmet Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount got very tired in the straight.
The Stewards tried to speak to M.C.Hussey regarding his riding of Trespassed trained by Gordon Elliott. They were unable to do so as the rider had left the tract at 8.44pm, five minutes after the winner all right had been given. The Stewards referred the matter under Rule 14(ii)(b) to the Chief Executive of The Turf Club for further investigation.
(GC & EM)
