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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

O'Brien doubles up in Foxrock with Alighted

Thu 28th Dec 2017, 15:14

Alighted, white cap, storms through to winAlighted, white cap, storms through to win
© Photo Healy Racing

Alighted gave Joseph O'Brien a second winner on Leopardstown's card by staying on best in the bumper.

The four-year-old son of Getaway was never far from the pace throughout.

Patrick Mullins went for home on 9/10 favourite Voix Des Tiep swinging into the straight as the pair passed Young Wolf and Katie Walsh.

Barry O'Neill went after the leader in the final furlong and his mount kept on strongly to prevail in the closing stages by one and a half lengths at 16/1.

Young Wolf rallied on the inner to get up for second at 11/2 with Voix Des Tiep in third.

Joseph O'Brien said: "He was quite green. He’d been working nicely at home and we liked him and thought he’d run well but felt he’d be a bit immature to win. The penny dropped late and he quickened up well.

“He should learn a lot from that as Barry said that he was ducking at the rail throughout the race. He’s an immature horse but a horse with an engine. He'll learn a lot and he's an exciting horse to look forward to.

"He quickened up very well and got to the line very well. It was probably a strong race so really looking forward to him next year when he jumps a hurdle."

‘It’s great to get two winners on the board as we’ve had a few placed horses.”

Barry O'Neill, in the Gigginstown silks, added: "An exciting prospect. He was pretty green throughout. Leaving the back he was shying away from the rail. I was always going well and had loads of horse but I was just afraid if he got to the front too soon would he have a look (around).

"He had loads left and he will come on loads from this and he will improve a tonne."

O'Brien landed the preceding race with Hardback also at 16/1. The O'Brien double paid 288/1.

This was Gigginstown's third winner on the card.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.