Donnacha re-routes to Leopardstown and extends title advantage

After the cancellation of the meeting at Doncaster, Donnnacha O’Brien re-routed to Leopardstown and enjoyed one of his easier winners of the season when 5/2 favourite San Pedro scored by five and a half lengths in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF (C & G) Maiden.

The Gleneagles colt, a running-on fourth over a mile at the same track last weekend having had a lay-off since his debut in June, showed the benefit of that outing as he travelled strongly throughout and hit the front under two furlongs out.

From that point he was pushed out to comfortably account for the staying-on Joven (8/1), with stable companion of the winner Paradiso (10/1) a further two and a quarter lengths back in third place.

It was the winning rider’s 107th winner of the season, putting him five ahead of title rival Colin Keane.

“He's progressing. He had a good run here the last day, when Padraig (Beggy) rode him, and the lads were very happy with him,” said winning trainer Aidan O'Brien.

“Donnacha said he feels like a nice colt. These Gleneagles are tough, genuine and have speed, which is good, and they progress.

“There is probably not much left for him now but we'll start him in a Guineas trial or something like that next year.

“For a horse that would like a nice bit of ground you'd have to be very happy with him.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson