Hardy Warrior seals across-the-card double for O'Brien Once-raced Hardy Warrior was an all-the-way winner of the Frank Conroy Irish EBF Maiden in Leopardstown. Pushed away to lead from the stalls by Dylan Browne McMonagle, the Pinatubo colt dictated and kicked on into the straight. He powered clear of second-running South Island entering the final furlong and swept home by three and three-quarter lengths at 12/1. Runner-up South Island (7/2) could make no inroads, but was two-and-a-half-lengths clear of 10/11 favourite, newcomer Montreal, who after a sluggish start fared okay in third. This brought up an across-the-card double for Joseph O'Brien as Claude also landed the opener on Wexford's National Hunt card. He said: "He had a nice run the first time and we felt that he had come forward. “He was obviously able to put his experience to good use. I’d say he’s a Stakes horse in the making. “Our horses are often a bit green the first day, but he learned plenty. He stepped forward too today and we’d like to think he’ll step forward too the next day again. “I’d say he’ll be sticking to a mile and he wouldn’t be running on ground that’s too fast.” Hardy Warrior was a keeping-on fourth at 40/1 on debut at Killarney. Additional reporting by Gary Carson
