Takar won in fine style at Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Make a note – the progeny of Oratorio seem to cope with testing ground – as a son of the Coolmore stallion, Takar easily landed the Listed Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown. His daughter Romantic Stroll had taken the preceding maiden.
It was all too easy for Johnny Murtagh on the 4/7 chance, Takar, in the mile event. He settled beautifully, travelled with purpose throughout and he stretched on in the final furlong to beat Soul Custody by four and a quarter lengths.
Murtagh said of John Oxx's charge afterwards: "I don't know what happened him at the Curragh (9th in the Guineas). Maybe the ground was too fast though I thought he wanted it good. He was beaten at the three marker then and maybe it was just one of those days."
On behalf of the winning owner, His Highness The Aga Khan, Pat Downes said: "He was very disappointing in the Guineas but he got his confidence back there today. I don't know where he'll go now – next week (Derby Festival at the Curragh) would be too soon."
Takar's stable companion Akeed Wafi was the winner's only serious market rival but he was too keen for his own good and he paid the price in the final quarter mile, fading to finish last of the five. (GC & EM)
