Leabaland follows tried and tested route

Leabaland continued the trend of winners making the running when taking Division ll of the Save 33% Buying Tickets Online Handicap at Gowran Park.

Seamie Heffernan overcame a wide draw in stall 18 to get his mount across to the rail and from there the issue was never in doubt.

A dual winner for Michael Halford earlier in his career, the five-year-old was scoring on just his third start for trainer Martin Lynch.

The latter who rode Seskin Bridge to win the 1985 Thyestes Chase at Gowran, did particularly well with Oscar Time(won Paddy Power Chase, placed in Grand National) during his first stint with a licence.

Martin Lynch, “I must say well done to Mick Halford for winning twice with this lad as a three-year-old as he must be about 17.2 (hands). He lost his way and came to me.

“He has ability but you have to be very positive on him and Seamie rode him very well.

“I only renewed my licence a few months ago with a few horses for some friends.

“We tried him twice over hurdles but he doesn’t seem to like it.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee.