Our Max the grey wins under Leigh Roche© Photo Healy Racing
A little over a length and a quarter split the first five home in Crowne Plaza Race & Stay Handicap and it was Our Max that came out on top for George Pakidis and Leigh Roche. Queluz and Usa dead-heated for second and they were just a short-head off Our Max.
Our Max had dwelt at the stalls and he soon raced in mid-division.
Ridden in sixth two furlongs out, Our Max made headway into third a furlong out, he improved to lead narrowly inside the final furlong and he was all out at the finish.
Georgios Pakidis said: "If he breaks from the gate he has the ability to win. If he continues to break he will win more. We've worked on him in the stalls. He's a sound and very healthy and happy horse.
"He deserved to win in Leopardstown, he was blocked all the way around.
"He's in at Navan on Monday, it depends on how he comes out of this."
Owners Patrick and Colette McCann are from Kilmore, Co Armagh.
Patrick McCann said: "He's a well bred, cheap horse. I bought him as a foal for a couple of thousand.
"We believe we have got his breaking (from the stalls) right. We knew he was weighted to win."
C.T. Keane, rider of Dandy Rock trained by T.Hogan, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung left in the closing stages.
P.J. Smullen, rider of Lady J trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran keen.
(MG & EM)
