Real Force lives up to his name at Headquarters Real Force rewarded plenty of support on seasonal reappearance in the La Celia Wines Handicap over five furlongs in the Curragh. The seven-year-old gelding was a top-priced 14/1 in the morning and was punted down to 5/1 on the off. He was fully second-last after the halfway point in this dash and began to motor on the outer with a furlong and a-half to travel. Wayne Hassett urged him into contention at the furlong pole and the duo stormed into the lead inside the final 150 yards. The grey readily galloped away to put three lengths on 10/3 joint favourite Stag Night. Laugh A Minute, who won the last two renewals of this race, ran creditably in third at 11/2. Ger O’Leary said: “He did it very nicely and Wayne said it was just a matter of pressing the button. “He’ll go now to Cork for a Listed race in two weeks’ time over six furlongs. “He was in great form. We didn’t work him as such, but gave him plenty on the heavy sand on the Curragh and got stamina into him as he has natural speed. “He could stay a mile and is just an athlete. “It’s his time of the year. We were a little worried as the lads were saying it was gluey, but he got through it nicely.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
