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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Cheekpieces work a treat on Leabaland

Tue 13th Oct 2020, 14:58

Leabaland gallops home under Ronan WhelanLeabaland gallops home under Ronan Whelan
© Photo Healy Racing

Ronan Whelan dictated from the front on Leabaland as the pair obliged in the CorkRacecourse.ie Handicap over a mile.

Leabaland broke well and got to the front from stall five and had his rivals on the stretch as he raced past the two marker.

He was ridden a furlong and a half down and increased his advantage in the final furlong. Waterville Lady (10/1) stayed on strongly from the rear to power home in second but she was two and three quarter lengths adrift of the 14/1 winner at the line. Kristall Eye completed the placings a further two lengths away at 13/2.

Mick Halford 's winner sported cheekpieces for the first time.

Ronan Whelan said: "He is improving all the time and mentally and physically he is a big baby. He thinks it is all just a game and Mick thought it would be a good idea to throw head-gear on him just to sharpen him up and they have really sharpened him up.

"He is a fine scopey horse and still has a bit of growing into that frame to do. He will be better in time and seems versatile ground-wise too."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

1st
14/1
Tote €20.30 €4.80
2nd
2.75L
10/1
€3.10
3rd
2L
13/2
€2.10
4th
2.25L
11/1
bf
hd
7/2Fav
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.