Ice Cold Soul and Sean Flanagan © Photo Healy Racing
Ice Cold Soul repaid his connections’ patience when landing the big pot in the €100,000 Coral.ie Hurdle at Leopardstown today.
The Gigginstown gelding had returned from a year off when finishing mid-division at the track over Christmas.
Noel Meade ’s charge was sent off a 20/1 shot to land the big pot today but grabbed the prize under a positive rider from Sean Flanagan.
The winning rider had switched to Ice Cold Soul after the yard’s other challenger De Name Escapes Me was taken out due to the drying ground.
Flanagan had his mount prominent throughout and kicked on going to the last.
He had enough in reserve in the closing stages as Tudor City finished to get within half a length.
Trainer Tony Martin supplied the second and third with Golden Spear another half length behind. Heartbreak City from the same yard, who was sent off 9/4 favourite was back in eighth.
“This has been the plan all along. He got a bit of a leg last year after he won here and it took a bit of time getting him back,” said Meade.
“He got into all sorts of trouble here at Christmas. I was talking to Michael afterwards and said ‘maybe it’s for luck for the big one’. He said ‘oh he’ll get into trouble in that as well’.
“Everything went well and he was in the perfect position the whole way. He got a beautiful ride, jumped great and stayed well.
“I’d say the plan will be either the County or the Coral Cup.
“He’s a full-brother to Outlander and the Coral Cup could certainly come into it but I don’t think it’ll be about the bonus. It just depends on what race we think is right.
“It’s been working great with Sean. He’s a very good rider and his confidence is improving every day.
“We get on very well together. He rides a lot of work. I enjoy the way he rides and the conversations afterwards. He’s a great schooling jockey. He has a great pair of hands and everything you want.
“Paul (Carberry) recommended him in the beginning. He said ‘I’ve never seen ever him do anything wrong. I don’t think you’ll get anyone better - he’s the most under-rated jockey in the weighroom’.
“I feel sorry for Johnny because he was meant to ride him but Sean is the number one and when the other horse came out he had to switch.
“Sean has been very lucky for Gigginstown and they were happy to have him ride. There will be another day for Johnny.”
Flanagan added:- “I was in the box seat the whole way and never had any hassle. He was travelled quite well.
“I was wondering beforehand about the ground but he loved it.”
Tony Martin:- “He ran a blinder and hopefully he can on a bit from the run. He had a long journey back from Australia and it was a grand first run back. He can do nothing only improve off it.
“The others ran blinders - they all ran good races. The other two finished second and third.
“Gladiator King ran well enough too, unfortunately he missed the third last. You’d be happy with them all.
“Heartbreak arrived down to the last with a sporting chance but didn’t get home.
“We’ll have a chat with the owners now. He ran a very respectable race and jumped well so there is no bother that way.
“There is the World Cup meeting in Dubai, all going well, and then we have options over hurdles as well.”
