St Faz strikes for O'Grady & O'Keeffe The well-supported St Faz came out on top in what was an incident-packed Botanica International Handicap Chase. Third on his last four starts, the Edward O'Grady-trained five-year-old certainly wasn't winning out of turn and from early shows of 5/1, he was eventually returned the 5/2 favourite. Settled in mid-division by Darragh O'Keeffe, the Aidan Ryan-owned bay took closer order from four out and was left third when Linden Arden fell at the next. Not fluent three out, where Good As Hell unseated, the 115-rated victor improved into a share of the lead entering the straight. Ridden and gaining an outright advantage before the last, where Jack Holiday fell heavily, he kept on well for pressure on the run-in, ultimately coming home two-and-a-quarter lengths to the good. Drifting from 7/2 to 5s, One Last Tango filled the runner-up spot under Charlie O'Dwyer for Eoin Griffin, while Tramore winner Clarens (13/2 to 7/2) was another three-and-a-half lengths away in third. "My horses have been running well but have been placed rather than winning and I'm very pleased this fellow won," O'Grady commented. "He is still a novice so can run in those novice handicaps in the summer. He is only five so hopefully he can progress. "His owner Aidan and his wife Liz flew over for the day so I'm delighted." Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
