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John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Dutch proves Gold for Keane and Meade

Thu 12th Oct 2023, 16:41

Dutch Gold 
Dutch Gold
© Photo Healy Racing

Dutch Gold stayed on strongly under champion jockey Colin Keane to land the Big Picture Communications Handicap at the Curragh.

Always prominent in a slowly run race, the Noel Meade trained gelding led over two furlongs out, quickening smartly to go a few lengths clear of his seven rivals. Genuine Article tried hard to bridge the gap under Chris Hayes but could make no inroads into that lead from over a furlong out.

Trachonitos stayed on strongly late on having been outpaced at the half way stage but Dutch Gold wasn't for catching, eventually running out a length-and-a-half winner at odds of 11/2.

Noel Meade said: "It wasn't the plan to be as handy but they went slow and he just jumped so quick. I think he is a good horse. He won very easy in the North. On his next run at Navan, the reins broke and he was never able to get into the race. Last time at Leopardstown, the stupid trainer ran him over too far!

"I gelded him after that. The plan has always been to go jumping and he has schooled well. He is owned by a jumping man; his owner has Jeff Kidder.

"He is entered on Sunday in a three-year-old handicap and I'd say it's quite possible he could run."

1st
11/2
Tote €7.00 €1.90
2nd
1.5L
3/1
€1.10
3rd
hd
2/1Fav
€1.10
4th
2.25L
20/1
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.