Tandem and Pat Smullen © Photo Healy Racing
The competitive 16-runner premier handicap at Leopardstown went the way of Dermot Weld’s Tandem with Pat Smullen in the plate.
In a race worth €100,000 (€60,000 to the winner), the bookmakers made Bunairgead the 4/1 favourite for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning, but this one weakened at the business end having been prominent throughout.
Tandem, however, made headway in the home straight and came through to lead over a furlong out. He had to withstand a power-packed finish from Fortify who came up three parts of a length short in second at 9/2.
Dermot Weld said: “It was a very nice prize to win. The first target this year was the Irish Lincolnshire, but it was a bit soft for him.
“He appreciated the ground today and Pat was always in the right position. It was lovely summer ground. He will probably head on for a Listed race now. Getting black type will be the target now. I think he's a Listed level horse.
“He hit his head in the box coming up. We deliberated and checked him and checked him again. We had the vet have a look at him at the start and he was happy was him.”
Tandem attracted money earlier today from 9/1 to 6/1 and that was the price he was returned at.
Course and distance winner Dane Street (12/1) and Brog Deas (25/1) rounded out the places in third and fourth respectively.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
