O'Toole lands Leopardstown feature race under Slevin The Stuart Crawford trained O'Toole showed plenty of stamina when staying on best in the closing stages under JJ Slevin to win the featured Listed QuinnBet Handicap Chase at Leopardstown. A smart bumper horse, who also won on two occasions over hurdles, the 14/1 chance wore cheekpieces for the first-time on what was just his fifth start over fences. Pushed along in mid division after two out, the Simon Munir and Isaac Souede owned gelding looked to be in trouble at that point. However, as stamina kicked in on the rain softened ground, the gelding found plenty for pressure, getting to the leaders jumping the last, before staying on best to hold the fast finishing Invictus Machin by a neck. “We’ve thought the world of this horse from the day he won the bumper in Fairyhouse, he was second in the Grade 1 at Punchestown,” said Crawford. “He’s had a few wee problems and it’s kept him off the track for a long time. “When we started this season he had only run eight times. “He had a great run back, at Cork, at Christmas when Sam (Ewing) rode him. It was a really good run for such a long lay-off. “We went to Haydock, picked out a nice race, and we fancied him that day to go well. “For whatever reason it didn’t happen and we gave him a good break and had this race in mind. Thankfully it’s worked out. “In Haydock he was jumping left and was never happy. Yet he was in great form going there and we were really confident. “Haydock can be a funny track, it dries out quick and it can ride sharp enough. I wonder whether he just found it sharp. “He never got off on the right footing in the race whereas today JJ had him in a lovely position and he jumped well. The further he went the better he was jumping and he stayed really well.” The winner holds two entries at Cheltenham and he added: “We had him in there to keep ourselves covered. We’ll see as he’s won a good pot today so we’ll take our time and try and pick something else that will suit.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
