Aussie Valentine and Chris Hayes© Photo Healy Racing
Robert Ng saw his colours carried to victory for the second time at Leopardstown when the well-backed Aussie Valentine (6s earlier into 7/2) made all under Chris Hayes in the Racecourse Of The Year Handicap. The Ng silks had earlier been brought home in front by Shane Foley on Success Days in the Ballysax.
Quickly into his stride Aussie Valentine made all the running and he asked for more a furlong and a half out.
From there the joint favourite stayed on well to beat Sophie's World by a length and three parts.
There was half a length to Aussie Valentine's fellow well-supported market-leader, Third Dimension in third place.
"That's some consolation for the Curragh. He ran some race in the Lincoln out where he was," said winning trainer Paul Deegan.
"It was probably my fault as I told Silvestre to do his own thing but with a bit of company it might have been different. Although we were beaten a length in the end.
"He's a real decent horse. He just got caught out a couple of times at the back end of last year. Maybe his wind was catching him or he just didn't stay.
"In that ground he's a horse with a good bit of pace. He's a big rangy loose moving horse and he should stay as well.
"There is more to come from him and he should step up again. We'll probably step him up to a Listed race.
"As he's strengthened and developed he may even have gotten sharper. He's a horse with a great attitude, a lovely big horse.
"He's such a laid back sort he just needs something like the cheek-pieces on him."
P.J. Smullen, rider of Sierra Sun trained by D. K. Weld, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount stopped quickly in the straight.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Sierra Sun, trained by D. K. Weld, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to have suffered a slight graze to her right hind cannon bone but was otherwise post race normal.
(GC & EM)
