Sizing Granite and Jonathan Burke negotiate the last© Photo Healy Racing
Jonathan Burke has experienced a meteoric ride to prominence since landing the job as retained jockey to owners Alan and Ann Potts last summer and he partnered his 44th of the term when guiding their Sizing Granite to win the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Novice Chase at Leopardstown today.
The Henry De Bromhead trained gelding was held up third of the four runners for much of the contest but was produced by Burke to lead entering the home straight. The winner got in tight to the final fence but was well clear of Dysios at the time and in the end recorded a six lengths win over that rival.
Afterwards Burke stated "he jumped great and got a lovely lead. He has a lovely way of racing, is very relaxed and every time you give him a smack, there's plenty there.
"The wind is very strong in the straight, coming into your face, and that's why he fluffed the last. Still he was very good and won with plenty in hand.
"He went up in trip last year and it didn't work out so I'd say he's fine at that trip at the moment. He has options at Aintree and I'll look forward to that."
By Tom Weekes, quotes from Gary Carson
