Lisleigh Lad lands Wexford feature for Eleanor Broderick
Lisleigh Lad and Alan O'Sullivan win the Molloy Metals Recycling Handicap Steeplechase at Wexford. Pic: Healy Racing
Patiently handled by Alan O’Sullivan, Lisleigh Lad landed the featured Molloy Metals Recycling Handicap Chase for Fermoy-based Eleanor Broderick in Wexford.
The 11/2 shot, who took on highly-rated rivals in a conditions event in Listowel last time, was driven clear by O’Sullivan on the run-in to beat favourite Nouvotic by three and a half lengths.
“I was very happy everywhere and, after having no room coming down the hill, he took off when he saw light,” explained O’Sullivan. “He always jumps and travels, but doesn’t always find a lot. But he seems more consistent than ever this year, had a nice light weight and we thought he had a good chance.”
Out of luck with Nouvotic, Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O’Keeffe were on the mark earlier when 5/2 favourite Pinot Gris made it third time lucky over fences in the Slaney Valley Beginners Chase.
Danny Gilligan doubled up, making all on Gordon Elliott’s Newbrook Diamond, previously a frustrating sort, in the opening Shamrock Enterprises Maiden Hurdle and the Ross O’Sullivan-trained Giant Haystacks (5/2 favourite) in the 0-100 handicap chase.
In Bellewstown, the Jessica Harrington-trained Full Volume stepped up on his debut run in Down Royal to land the Irish EBF Median Sires Series 2-Y-O Maiden impressively.
Shane Foley tracked the leading duo before administering a few reminders and producing the Lucky Vega colt to challenge rounding the elbow. Soon in front, Full Volume powered clear and won, eased down, by five and a half lengths from High Morals.
“He’s a bit of a brat and was hot and got very upset in the stalls in Down Royal,” acknowledged the winning trainer.
“But he was very good today, before and in the race. He got a lovely tow around, quickened well and won, eased down. He’s a proper miler already and will go further. We’ll take baby steps with him.”
Runner-up on her debut in Naas last week, April Mist gave Ger Lyons his first two-year-old winner of the season when, backed into 11/8 favourite, she made all under Colin Keane to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at the expense of Ballydoyle hope Bold Commander.
Keane commented, “She was plenty green and raw in Naas, but Jack (Kearney) liked her. The boss turned her out quickly and it has worked out well. She’s still plenty green, but will get quicker with racing.”
Successful on board Dream Legend on Thursday, Leigh Roche struck again when Willie McCreery’s Happy Henry pounced inside the final furlong to foil Bye Bye Now in the five-furlong Eco Bullet Handicap.
Gavin Ryan took the riding honours, completing a fine 167/1 double on Fozzy Stack’s Focaccia in the five-furlong Landy, Muldoon & Co Maiden and the Alan McIntyre-trained Private Larry in the 0-60 finale.
And in-form Ben Coen notched his seventh winner since Tuesday when Ciaran Murphy’s Bay Of Dreams got the better of Bucaneer’s Spirit in the 0-70 one-mile handicap.
