Boost for Connaughton as Eagle's Flight delivers for Halford and Whelan

Division two of the Plusvital Handicap at Leopardstown saw Eagle’s Flight put up a nice performance with his ten stone one burden with Ronan Whelan in the plate.

Whelan has twice secured Group Three honours in recent times, on A Case Of You at Naas in the middle of last month, and most recently last evening at the Curragh aboard Sonaiyla for Paddy Twomey.

From his seventeen draw Eagle’s Flight was brought wide with his effort in the straight by Whelan, eventually getting there towards the finish to defeat Dream Tale by three parts of a length.

There were identical margins to Beyond Happy and Fearless Girl in third and fourth.

“We dropped him back in trip as he was a bit hard on himself in his races, for a horse that is so quiet at home,” said Halford.

“He was drawn so wide that he had no choice but to take his time on him. He got him rolling and he did it well.

“He's a very straight-forward, honest horse. He's quite big so he's probably after strengthening up now.

“I wouldn't rule out stepping him back up in trip in time but at that level he was well able for it.

“I'm delighted for Johnny Connaughton who is a good owner of ours and also has Bear Story with us, who has been running well.

“That'll give him a bit of a boost and the owners have been wonderful when you think how long it's been since they've been able to get to the races.

“That'll give him a lift as he bred him as well.”

R.P. Cleary, rider of Dark Magic (GB) trained by Thomas Cleary, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount was slowly away.

S. Foley, rider of Malaysian trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung right throughout.

Siobhan Rutledge, rider of Sweet Justice trained by T.G.McCourt, reported to the Clerk of Scales that she had an unclear passage in the straight.

(GC & EM)