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John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Oliver's City just Picture perfect at Down Royal

Sat 24th Jun 2023, 15:00

Picture Of A City and Dylan Browne McMonagle win the Polypipe Handicap Picture Of A City and Dylan Browne McMonagle win the Polypipe Handicap
© Photo Healy Racing

In what was almost a carbon copy of the opening race, Picture Of A City got off the mark at the sixth attempt when staying on well to land the Polypipe Handicap at Down Royal.

Similar to Leigh Roche in the first, winning rider Dylan Browne McMonagle tracked the early pace in third position, before mounting a challenge off the home bend.

Soon having the measure of early leaders, Sea Spray and Evening's Empire the Cityscape colt stayed on strongly to hold off the late efforts of both Mobilise and Navy Beach

First-time cheekpieces appeared to make a big difference to the Andy Oliver trained winner, who looked a much more resolute performer on this occasion.

Andy Oliver said: "He's a horse we thought a lot of. He probably just took a run or two just to get things together.

"Conditions of today's race suited well, so he came here. He is a very versatile horse for ground, so we weren't worried what happened that way.

"I thought Dylan gave him a great ride - it just worked out perfectly, he got in a ideal slot and just arrived at the front.

"He's a horse we see hopefully with a bit of a future. Although he said he's not slow, we do expect him to stay."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

1st
5/2Fav
Tote €3.50 €1.30
2nd
2.75L
4/1
€1.40
3rd
0.75L
6/1
€2.40
About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.