Well backed Playin Cool wins Leopardstown curtain raiser The John Feane trained Playin Cool justified strong market support when staying on best under Luke McAteer to win the opening Fruit Shoot Maiden at Leopardstown. As big as 13/2 this morning, the twice-raced son of Belardo was sent off a strong 9/4 chance to make it third time lucky. Tracking the leaders for the first three-quarters of the contest, Playin Cool was pushed along to close early in the straight. Ridden in third over a furlong out, the gelding looked booked for minor honours at best. However, he found plenty inside the final furlong, staying on well to head leader Maestro Bernstein before holding the late run of Shamrock Flame by a neck. Feane said:- “Luke said he didn’t really enjoy the ground but he was impressive there. He stuck at it well and showed plenty of heart. “He’s a nice type of horse and did it well today. “I’d say Aidan’s horse traded short in running. He got enough of them yesterday, let someone else have a little go! “Our lad got in a little bit of trouble turning in, off the heels off horses, and he was still a little bit babyish even after the two runs. “He was well backed the first two times and was well backed again today so someone knows more than I do.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson.
