Latino's pure magic for Osborne

Latino Magic gave Robbie Osborne his first Group victory when taking the Meld Stakes at Leopardstown tonight.

The four-year-old, a 6-1 chance, short-headed Aidan O’Brien’s runner Solskjaer to lift this Group Three contest over a mile and a quarter.

“He’s ultra consistent. He’s been knocking on the door and we always felt he was Group class,” said Osborne, in his fifth year with a licence.

“It’s great to get the win. He’s very versatile regarding trip, but ideally a mile to a mile and a quarter suits him well.

“If he comes out of this fresh and well he may run in the Royal Whip at the Curragh,” he added.

John Dunlop’s runner Big Bad Bob tried to make all the running in the hands of Michael Kinane and was eight lengths clear at one stage.

However, he dropped out tamely in the straight and finished last of the five runners.

The other British raider on the card, Ruby Rocket, came out third best in a triple photo finish to the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Sweet Mimosa Stakes.

Kinane had Hughie Morrison’s filly smartly out of the stalls but Ulfah soon went on and Kevin Prendergast’s runner proved impossible to pass.

Despite being strongly challenged, the 4-1 shot ridden by Declan McDonogh, held Shersha by a head with Ruby Rocket, the odds-on favourite, another head away in third.

McDonogh said: She is a nice sprinter. She wings around the bends like a motorbike. I like the way when they came to her she stuck at it.”

Prendergast, who missed the meeting as he was attending a family function, was completing a 29-1 double.

His stable had taken the opening Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Auction Maiden with Crystal View (5-1).

Trainer Con Collins also had a double through and Viva La Diva (5-2) Ocean Bounty (5-2).