It's paradise for Foley

Royal Paradise made all the running to get back to winning ways at Leopardstown today.

Tom Foley’s four-year-old had won his first two races before being beaten last time, but he rediscovered his form with a smooth six-length win over Leonardo De Vinci in the paddypower.com Future Champions Novice Hurdle.

Conor O’Dwyer was a reluctant leader on Royal Paradise (11-4) as the six runners went a snail’s pace in the early stages.

He gradually turned up the tempo and only Leonardo De Vinci and Man About Town posed a threat in the straight.

Royal Paradise quickly burned them off and extended his lead in the closing stages to run out a convincing winner.

“He likes nicer ground,” said Foley. “The ground and pace didn’t suit him today. He likes to get a lead, but Conor rightly decided to go on when there was no pace.

“He is a horse that really only does what he has to and it is more than likely he will go for the SunAlliance Hurdle at Cheltenham.

“If I get my own way he won’t run again until then. I don’t want to run him too often as he will take another year to reach his full potential.”