Lusis Naturea (Oisin Orr) holds Alnahar (Emmet McNamara)© Photo Healy Racing
It may have been a poor maiden that he won at this venue seven days earlier but fact was that Lusis Naturea accomplished the feat in style by nine and a half lengths. The Multiplex gelding duly took the transition to handicap company in his stride under top-weight in the Bet Now On Every Cheltenham Race At Coral.ie-titled extended mile and a quarter event at Dundalk.
Oisin Orr helped with his seven pound claim to offset some of Lusis Naturea's ten stone eight burden, and the 11/2 chance was ridden to lead a furlong out.
He then stayed on well to repel the challenge of well-backed favourite Alnahar by three parts of a length.
Another nicely supported runner was second market choice, Locus Standi and he had to make do with fourth.
"He did it carrying a lot of weight. I thought the handicapper was sore on him but maybe he got it right," said winning trainer Noel Kelly.
"He won't run for a few weeks now. We had the option to run here and took a chance to see how good he was.
"We'll probably freshen him up a bit and look at the turf during the summer. We'll try and find a nice handicap.
"He'd also be a nice horse for a two-mile hurdle on a tight track."
(GC & EM)
