O’Leary planning assault on Irish Grand National with Preists Leap
Speaking yesterday, O’Leary reported: “The horse is out in the paddock and really well in himself. I suppose the obvious race for him now is the Irish National.
“But the ground would have to be soft, heavy would be even better. He just wouldn’t be up to it on good ground, they would get away from him.”
Preists Leap has been held back in the past by indifferent jumping, but the advice of event rider, Niamh Smith, worked wonders in the ten days leading up to the Thyestes.
“Niamh told me what to do and watching Preists Leap working last Monday was like seeing a new horse. It is all about getting him to be confident in his jumping.”
The Irish National is on March 24, but O’Leary will take his time before deciding what road to travel with his charge in the meantime.
