Landfall and Shane Foley prevail© Photo Healy Racing
Landfall added to his Curragh maiden win from August 21st when triumphing in the Group 3 Willis Towers Watson Champions Juvenile Stakes for Ken Condon and Shane Foley at Leopardstown.
Pre-race all the talk was about Ballydoyle's 8/13 shot and 2017 Derby market-leader, Douglas Macarthur but he could manage only third after making the running. That disappointment of course came hot on the heels of Idaho's unseating of Seamie Heffernan in the St Leger over at Doncaster.
Landfall (9/1) meanwhile, got to the front over a furlong out, having chased the leaders, and he stayed on well for a two and a quarter length verdict over Firey Speech
"He was maybe a big enough price. We did really like him and as I said at the time when he won at the Curragh I thought he was just about ready to start," said Condon.
"He's worked twice since then and you could see that he acts like the good ones and they improve from work to work and week to week.
"It's okay saying it at home but they have to go and do it on the track.
"Shane said that's as quick as he'd like the ground - it's beautiful ground. He won on yielding, yielding to soft at the Curragh.
"He's a horse with a nice pedigree and a big future. He's a big scopey horse and just a good horse to train.
"I haven't had better than him and you're always hoping they can do it on the racecourse. It's lovely when they do.
"It was only a couple of weeks before the Curragh that he showed it. He was one that was maybe hiding it a little bit up to then and needed time. It's come together for him recently.
"I'd say he'll be put away now and we'll aim him for some nice races next year.
"I'd say he'll stay a mile-and-a-quarter but he has that nice blend of speed and stamina. All the good ones have that.
"He was still quite green at the finish but I loved the way he travelled during the race. The last 100 yards when he stretched away again was very encouraging.
"He's a talented horse and one to look forward to.
"If he was still a colt he'd be going for the Group 1 in France on the 30th of October but because he's a gelding obviously that's out."
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Radio Silence (USA), trained by J. S. Bolger, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(GC & EM)
