Ucanchoose records seventh career success

Ucanchoose and Pixie Spirit went off the 7/2 joint-favourite for the Tierney Kitchens Handicap and they finished first and second with the Andy Slattery trained former crossing the line in front under Declan McDonogh.

The seasonal campaigner, who is owned by James Brophy, was recording his seventh career success this evening and his second in-a-row having won last time out at Tipperary.

Drawn widest of all in stall thirteen the eight-year-old son of Choisir raced behind the leaders in the early stages, moving closer to the rail with two furlongs to race.

He soon came under pressure, getting to the front inside the final furlong before keeping on well from there to score by half a length at the line.

Pixie Spirit kept on well to take second under Ana O’Brien for James Nash while La Canaada completed the placings a further length and three parts back in third under Chris Hayes for Harry Rogers at 12/1.

Declan McDonogh said afterwards: "He (Andy Slattery) says he is going to run him on Wednesday (at Naas) if he comes out of this okay.

"They must have being going plenty as he is usually up there with the pace. I switched him out at the two furlong pole for better ground and he picked up well.

"I wasn’t worried about the draw as the stats say the high draws do well over five furlongs here."

Brian Slattery, brother of the winning trainer, added: "The blinkers on him have helped and the handicapper has given him a chance.

"He only got three pounds for winning at Tipperary but we don’t know what he will do after that and he should run again on Wednesday."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham