LINGER was Donnacha O'Brien's eighth winner of the Galway Festival© Photo Healy Racing
Linger (7/2) was another horse to double up for the week at Galway as he followed Monday evening’s six length handicap hurdle victory with an equally emphatic win in the JPK Fencing Handicap over Im 6f on the level.
Winner number eight of the week for jockey Donnacha O’Brien, and a fourth for winning handler Joseph O’Brien, he challenged wide on the track turning for home and quickly went clear of his rivals.
Six and-a-half lengths was the margin of superiority on this occasion, as the winner showed himself to be thriving under both codes.
He’s had three wins and two placed efforts from five starts since joining the O’Brien stable earlier in the year.
Eight And Bob (9/4 fav) made late headway into second, with Sbraase (12/1) in third and the pace-setting King Christophe (28/1) holding on for fourth place.
It was a second win on the Flat for the Cape Cross six-year-old, in addition to four wins over hurdles.
Brendan Powell, assistant trainer to Joseph O’Brien, remarked afterwards: “I was a bit worried about the ground with him but he seemed to cope with it well.
“Donnacha gave him a beautiful ride. He was drawn wide but went down the inner and saved ground, and he pulled out at the right time. The horse stays well and he seems in great order.
“He’s won two for the guys (Rugby & Racing Syndicate) this week. That’s four for us and he’s been half of them.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
