Strandfield Lady and Connor King see off Egyptian Warrior and Donnacha O'Brien© Photo Healy Racing
The admirable Strandfield Lady recorded her thirteenth career success and her eighth at Leopardstown as she just got the better of Egyptian Warrior in the Korean Racing Authority Handicap.
The Harry Rogers trained nine-year-old won on her last start at Navan over a mile and five and stepped up to a mile and six (first time winning over this trip) here she was sent off at 14/1 having opened an 8/1 chance last night.
Having raced mainly in third under Connor King she was squeezed for room under two furlongs out and had to be switched to the inside.
She was then ridden just over a furlong out and she kept on well from there, getting to the front 100 yards from home before keeping on best to just see off Egyptian Warrior (6/1) by a head.
Donnacha O’Brien (just his second ride) was aboard the runner-up for his father Aidan, while Papa's Way (10’s into 7’s) completed the placings a further length and a quarter back in third under Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan. Snowmane was sent off the 5/2 favourite (9/2 last night and from 10/3 on-course) under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons but he could only manage a disappointing fifth.
Harry Rogers said of his Joseph Byrne owned mare: "Connor gets a tune out of her. She would have been a very unlucky loser as she got squeezed up and he had to snatch up and go around.
"She is a good old mare to have and she keeps me ticking over. She is in the amateur race at Galway on Monday but that is highly unlikely it was a bit of an afterthought.
"She is also in on the Friday over a mile and a half and she might go there. We will rest her for a few days and see how she is."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the straight involving Egyptian Warrior, ridden by D. O'Brien, placed second, Strandfield Lady, ridden by C.R. King, placed first, John Constable ridden by J.P. O'Brien, unplaced and False Economy ridden by J.A. Heffernan, unplaced.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned in the presence of A.P. O'Brien, trainer of Egyptian Warrior and H.Rogers, trainer of Strandfield Lady. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the judges placings, however C.R.King was advised to ride with more care in future.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
