Botany wins on appropriate day for O'Brien

"It's a nice day to get those colours into the winner's enclosure. It's a very appropriate day," said Charles O'Brien after Botany Bay justified his place at the head of the market under Declan McDonogh in the Leopardstown Summer Pass Handicap. Of course Charles' uncle Phonsie passed away on Tuesday.

Indeed Charles' mother Jacqueline only died in March, and Botany Bay races in the colours of her executors.

Try as eventual runner-up Kalann might, he couldn't find a way past Botany Bay, who'd led from over a furlong out. He went on to win by a length and a half.

"In fairness he deserved that. He had been running well all year and it was the weakest race he had come across," further explained O'Brien.

"There is a two-mile race next weekend but he might give it a miss and have a week or two off. He's had a few quick runs and could do with a holiday.

"He doesn't want deep ground but a cut is okay."

(GC & EM)