Trainer Robbie Osborne saddled his first Group winner at Leopardstown today where Latino Magic landed the featured Group 3 Meld Stakes. The winner received a strong drive from Robbie Burke with the much underrated rider forcing the son of Lion Cavern to the front well inside the final furlong for a short head win over Solskjaer.
A delighted Osborne later reported 'this is my fifth year training and this is my biggest success. Latino Magic has been unlucky not to have won a Group race up until now and he will now go for the Royal Whip Stakes.'
He added 'he is ultra-consistent while we always felt he was Group class.'
Dermot Weld's Elusive Double swooped late to land the Listed Tyros Stakes under Pat Shanahan. Amsterdam, one of three Ballydoyle representatives, made the running but was headed by the winner well inside the final furlong.
Shanahan later completed a double when Ocean Bounty captured the New Fiat Stilo Coupe Handicap for Con Collins. Collins' horses have been in excellent form all season and he himself was recording a double, with Viva La Diva winning the earlier 7f handicap.
Apprentice Padraig Beggy rode his 12th winner on board Kevin Prendergast's Crystal View in the 2YO maiden. Prendergast added a more significant race to his haul later when Ulfah won the Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Sweet Mimosa Stakes.
At Wexford, Jessica Harrington's Star Horse comfortably beat his 13 rivals in the opening Saltees Maiden Hurdle. Harringon later stated 'we expected him to win and he did it well. He loves that fast ground although he would not want any further than two miles.'
Harrington was later denied a double in the stewards' room when her Cloney Lord was demoted to second after causing interference to eventual winner Gale Star in the 2m4f handicap chase.
Mark Molloy's Lord Of The Grove collected his second win at the venue in the 2m2f handicap hurdle, under promising seven pound claimer Martin Ferris while Bassett Tiger recorded another easy course win, in the three mile handicap chase under Ruby Walsh.
