Long Journey Home clear of the field© Photo Healy Racing
Long Journey Home led his rivals a merry dance as he made all for victory in the Robin Parke Memorial Handicap at Killarney.
Wayne Lordan's mount soon built up a sizable advantage out in front in the 1m3f event and the pack couldn't peg him back in the straight.
His lead was reduced slightly going to the final furlong but it was all too late and Lordan could afford to coast home in the closing stages as 11/8f Shalaman flashed home to get within a length at the line.
Long Journey Home had proved a consistent sort before a disappointing effort at Leopardstown last time and was sent off a 10/1 shot today.
It was a welcome winner for Mitchelstown handler Danny O'Sullivan, his first since last October:-
“He deserved that as he's been running well all year. He takes a grip and likes to bowl along in front. He'll go for a handicap again but not for about another three weeks.
“He's had two runs over hurdles and jumps well so that's an option for him as well.”
The winning owner John Donnelly, from Roscrea, works for Kildangan Stud.
“He took a plunge buying this lad out of John Oxx's yard and I'm delighted for him,” added O'Sullivan.
It was a double on the card for Lordan after landing the feature event on Wannabe Better
(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)
