Promontory wins Dublin National for Connell Trainer Sarah Joanna Connell landed a big success as Promontory stayed on best under Donagh Meyler to win the Dublin National Handicap Chase at Leopardstown. Carrying the famous colours of Malcolm Denmark, the well backed 4/1 chance (from 9/1) was always well placed in the leading half dozen or so. Pushed along after two out, the gelding went third early in the straight, before moving up to join Slotty Dotty jumping the final fence. Finding plenty reserves of stamina on this first start over 3m4f, Promontory went right away on the run-in to win by six-and-a-half lengths. “That was lovely. He had a good run the last day in Navan on ground that I didn’t think he’d handle. We were expecting him to improve off the back of that,” said Connell. “He won a maiden hurdle last year, I thought it maybe wasn’t the strongest race and maybe he was lucky to win it but I always thought he’d stay that three or three-and-a-half miles and he did. “A special thank-you to Aidan Kelly as he did a lot of schooling with him during the winter. Unfortunately he couldn’t ride him the last couple of times but he got a very good ride from Donagh. “He jumped very well, Donagh said down the back he just kept jumping himself into it. He stayed all the way to the line and I’m delighted with him. “Today was kind of the plan. When Aidan got off him after riding him at Fairyhouse, in a beginners chase, he said he’d be ideal for this race. “He was always going to come here. That’s his second run in a handicap and hopefully he can keep progressing. “He’s going to get a hike for that so we’ll see where we got after that.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
