Lordan on the right one in the big handicap at Naas Just touched off in the Petingo Handicap on the Irish Champion Stakes card at Leopardstown, Light As Air (13/2) went one place better under Wayne Lordan in the Colm White Bookmaker Beggar's End Handicap at Naas. Trained by Aidan O'Brien for the Coolmore partners, the Wootton Bassett colt tracked the leaders and was travelling best from early in the straight. He led a furlong out to beat Vischio by two and a half lengths with last year's winner Comfort Zone back in third. O'Brien also ran reserve Saratoga and had earlier tried to switch Lordan to that horse, a request that was denied by the stewards. The Jack Cleary-ridden Saratoga was backed into 2/1 favouritism and made the running but faded once headed by his stablemate and finished fifth. "He was unlucky in Leopardstown," said O'Brien. “He got the trip well. Wayne said he has class going that distance and he quickened up well. “Saratoga ran well. It was only his fifth run and he’s probably still a bit of a baby.” “There is a Group 3 (Loughbrown Stakes at the Curragh on November 2nd) that they could both go for.” When asked about the request to change Wayne Lordan onto Saratoga and put Jack Cleary on Light As Air, he added, “Wayne won on Saratoga at Listowel and Jack rode this fella the last day.” Additional reporting by Alan Magee
