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John O'Riordan

John O'Riordan

Leonard just Dynamite on Hogan's Defense

Fri 27th Sep 2024, 19:02

Dynamite Defense and Killian Leonard Dynamite Defense and Killian Leonard
© Photo Healy Racing

Killian Leonard had to be at his strongest to get Dynamite Defense back up close home to win Division ll of the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap at Dundalk.

Prominent in the leading quarter throughout, the Denis Hogan trained three-year-old moved third early in the straight, before taking over from Special Angel over a furlong out.

Strongly pressed by Comfort Line inside the final furlong, Dynamite Defense was briefly headed before battling back well close home to win by half-a-length.

Adam Caffrey, who had won the opening two races on the card, was losing out in a tight finish for the second race in succession.

Winning rider Killian Leonard said: “I rode him in Punchestown over a little bit further, a mile-and-one, and he got the trip well but I thought he'd have no problem coming back to a mile as he has plenty of pace.

“I was able to travel on the front end tonight. I liked him the first day I rode him, he hadn't really got anything together before that.

“The third horse from the last day came out and finished second last week in Navan so the form was there.

“He's a grand horse and got the job done today, that's all the lads wanted.

“He's very green, even when I got there he ran around a little bit with me. He's improving from run to run and looks a nice little prospect.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson.

1st
12/1
Tote €15.10 €4.10
2nd
0.5L
13/2
€1.80
3rd
1.75L
10/1
€3.70
4th
0.5L
9/1
bf
2L
11/8Fav
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.