Grand Partner jumps the last under Bryan Cooper© Photo Healy Racing
Grand Partner recorded his fourth career success at Leopardstown, as he landed the TRI Equestrian Superstore & Cafe Handicap Hurdle.
Third in the valuable Coral Hurdle over the course and distance last month, the Tom Mullins trained gelding since finished fourth to the De Benno at Navan.
Available at 7/1 in a place this morning, the son of Millenary eventually went off a 5/1 chance with Bryan Cooper in the saddle.
Settled behind the leaders in fourth, the bay ten-year-old came with his challenge on the outer as they entered the home straight.
He got to the front at the last, and kept on well under pressure from there, going on to score by a length and a quarter. Chesterfield King was the gamble of the race, and he kept on well to take second. The Philip Dempsey trained gelding was available at 10/1 in early shows, before being backed from 11/2 to 4/1 and favourite on-course. Great Khan (9/2) completed the placings a further two and a half lengths back in third under Phillip Enright for Edward O'Grady.
Tom Mullins said afterwards: "The lad who rides him at home was telling me he was flying but he runs fairly regular. He's in the County Hurdle and we'll see what way he is in the next couple of days.
"At the moment he may get in or he may not so a penalty for this would get him in. If he's well enough he might go. He's a fun horse but he was impressive today. He might go over fences in the summer.
"If Oscar Knight got into the Coral Cup he'd have a right chance but he won't get in."
STEWARDS REPORTS
E. O'Connell, rider of Golden Spear (GB), trained by A.J.Martin, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount took a blow at the second last, before staying on past tired horses in the closing stages.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
