Nordic Passage strikes for Levins and O'Connor

Johnny Levins has enjoyed a dream run at Naas winning a race at each of the four meetings there since the resumption of racing and, together with stable jockey Donagh O’Connor, brought that good run of form to the Curragh as Nordic Passage landed the Sporting Life Fast Results Handicap.

The 10/1 chance made headway on the far side to lead just inside the final furlong, and kept on well for O’Connor to beat Sendmylovetoyou by half a length.

Blairmayne was the same distance back in third, with top-weight Ardhoomey completing the places in fourth.

Levins said, “That was a lovely performance. He’s in the Scurry next week but I felt he lacked a bit of match practice sprinting.

“Sprinting is relatively new to him as I was campaigning him over seven and a mile.

“I don’t think we’ll run him in the Scurry as all these races will really come into play with him next year. We might use this year as learning how to sprint and do right by the horse and take our time.

“We’ve been patient up to now and it’s turned out the right thing to do and we could have a very nice sprinter next year.

“He got a lovely ride from Donagh. We walked the track together and he covered every blade of grass that we planned. He followed the right horses and hit the front at the right time.

“He kept him up to his work and was on a willing partner. It’s nice to get a winner up the Curragh.”