Snapraeterea pictured with connections after his Concorde Stakes success© Photo Healy Racing
Snapraeterea registered his third success in Listed company, as he swooped late to claim the Coolmore Sioux Nation Concorde Stakes, completing an across the card double for Joseph O'Brien.
Coming from off the pace, the Buratino gelding was a fine second in the Navigation Stakes at Cork on Tuesday last and was sent off a well-supported 9/2 chance (from 11/2) in his bid to go a place better this afternoon.
Settled towards rear by Declan McDonogh, John Farrell's homebred bay made progress on the approach to the straight and was ridden towards the nearside rail with over a furlong to go.
Soon improving into third, he finished strongly and got to the front inside the final 50 yards, going on to prevail by three-parts-of-a-length.
The progressive Bells On Her Toes (18/1) finished a gallant second under Andrew Slattery, while last year's winner Statement (11/1), also trained by Joseph O'Brien, was just a neck away in third.
Returned the 9/4 favourite Insinuendo finished fourth under Colin Keane, while the easy-to-back Dunum (5/2 from 15/8) faded before the straight and trailed home in rear.
"I was following Dunum but he wasn't bringing me into the race and I had to go around him four out and the race was getting away on me a bit," McDonogh reflected.
"I had to get going a bit earlier than I wanted but he's dug deep and handles extreme conditions well.
"He was a bit slow in the gates a couple of times and it was hindering his chances, so today we put a rug on him and blind-folded him and that made him jump properly.
"To bounce him out five days after Cork was a big ask but he was well up for it."
Joseph O'Brien was earlier on the mark at Killarney with Goodie Two Shoes
STEWARDS REPORTS
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Dunum, trained by Natalia Lupini, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident leaving the back straight where it appeared Clounmacon had to momentarily check. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
