Landline scores again for the Cleary family The father and son team of Tom and Rory Cleary landed the Royal County Handicap at Navan with Landline. The Vocalised gelding provided the Athlone trainer with his first winner of the season at Tipperary last month, and was following up here off an 8lb higher mark. The 21-runner sprint was a real cavalry charge with the field splitting into two groups, and Nora Batt really blazed a trail on the far side. The John Nicholson-trained filly was still clear over a furlong out but really started to thread water inside the final furlong. Landline was under strong driving from the two furlong pole but the 10/1 chance responded gamely under Rory Cleary to strike the front about 50 yards out. Doonard Prince threw down a strong challenge but came up a half-length short, with Nora Batt weakening to finish a further two and a quarter lengths back in third. Mr Michael completed the places a further length and a half away in fourth. Tom Cleary said, "I'm delighted they put this extra race on and he's improved again. He's not the biggest and wouldn't be able to carry a lot of weight. Rory gave him a hell of a ride. "I'd like to dedicate this win to my son Paul's father-in-law Jimmy Byrne who we buried yesterday. He came racing with me a lot and this is an emotional win."
