Staples secures another Slattery success Andy Slattery got the ball rolling for November at his lucky course Fairyhouse today, landing the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase with Ceroc (11/4f), which gave the in-form trainer a 71st success in a breakthrough year. Ridden by Eoin Staples for owner Kay Russell, widow of late Edward O’Grady, Ceroc raced prominently throughout and while he jumped left, held on in the home straight to score by a head from Urbs Intacta Manet, whose rider carried 2lb overweight. Slattery enjoyed a first Grade 1 success with Fleur In The Park at today’s course in April and, recently, enjoyed his best ever monthly total with 14 wins in October. Following today’s race, jockey Staples stated “when Ceroc is upsides he tends to go left but when he is on his own, he seems straight enough. He idled when he got to the front going down to the second-last and I was probably in front plenty soon. He stays well but when I got there he had a right look. “I missed the last a small bit but he got going quick enough after it and he was tough. He ground it out well when the second horse came to him." Quotes from John O’Riordan
