Fresh from his Punchestown festival charity race fourth placing under Joanne Lavery, Mandamus proved best in the Fitzpatrick Gallagher McEvoy Solicitors Handicap today at Leopardstown. Sanus Per Aquam went off a well backed favourite for this mile and a half event and he tried to make every post a winning one under Kevin Manning.

However he couldn't raise his effort from over a furlong out and Mandamus soon powered through in the hands of Leigh Roche to notch up a length and three parts win from Three Jacks

Winning trainer Sheila Lavery said of the 7/1 victor: "I was really worried about the ground as he'd never run on good to firm but he's five now so I thought we'd let him take his chance. He ran a great race last week in the charity race (at Punchestown), so I haven't done much with him since.

"Leigh says that is his trip, so I'll see what I can find for him over a mile and four. He'll mix it a bit with jumping as that really smartens him up. He absolutely loves jumping a hurdle and is very good. We expected him to win in Cork but he came back coughing."

(AM & EM)