Jan Van Eyck (Niall McCullagh) comes home ahead of Tarazani (Pat Smullen)© Photo Healy Racing
Jan Van Eyck made the most of his bottom weight impost to the land the Leopardstown Summer Pass Handicap for Ger O'Leary and Niall McCullagh.
Here the 5/1 shot dwelt and he was held up in the six runner mile and five contest.
Now a seven-year-old, the Raven's Pass gelding made progress on the outer entering the straight.
Ridden in fourth two furlongs out, Jan Van Eyck improved to lead a furlong out, and he stayed on well in the final furlong to score by a length from Tarazani
O'Leary said: "He's a half-brother to the Stayers Hurdle runner-up, Lil Rockerfeller, so he will be stepping up in trip rather than back and will go hurdling for the winter.
"We were trying to persevere with bad handicaps in Dundalk. If a good one comes up we'll go for it but jumping is the plan after Galway. I'm delighted."
For his part McCullagh commented: "Ross (Coakley) rode him in an apprentice race the last day and suggested putting the blinkers back on. He travelled very sweet and liked the ground."
(AM & EM)
