Leopardstown double for birthday boy Cleary Having won the first two maidens on the card, Aidan O'Brien made it three out of three at Leopardstown when Christmas Day (13/2) took the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes under Jack Cleary. A maiden winner at Gowran on his previous start, the winner raced upsides A Boy Named Susie in the second row behind the leaders. Both horses made their moves entering the final quarter-mile and A Boy Named Susie gained a narrow advantage over a furlong out. He couldn't shrug off Christmas Day, though, who got the better of a great tussle in the closing stages and led on the line to score by a short head. After his win on Amelia Earhart in the opener, Cleary was completing a personal double on his 22nd birthday. “He’s progressed from run to run and he took great confidence from the win the last day,” said Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong. “He was tough at the finish. Jack gave him a lovely ride, that’s his first Group winner and he’s having an unbelievable year - long may it continue over the next couple of weeks. “He’s another one that will hopefully winter well and come back for a trial in the spring. “Hopefully he makes up into a nice middle distance horse for next year. “Jack said he has grown up a lot since the last day. He’s come on nicely at home and we knew he was coming here with a chance. He was tough at the business end.” Additional reporting by Gary Carson
