Well-backed Lion another for Harrington

After recording a treble at Sligo yesterday, Jessica Harrington was again on the mark at Leopardstown this evening, as her Persian Lion took the concluding Manguard Plus Handicap.

A good second to Falcon Eight on his last start at the Curragh, the son of Leroidesanimaux came in for plenty of market support today.

Having opened on-course at 9/2, the Shane Foley ridden chestnut eventually went off the 3/1 favourite in the colours of Anamoine Limited.

Making his debut in handicap company, he was settled behind the leaders and was fifth from halfway.

He was pushed along to challenge a furlong and a half from home, and was ridden to the front inside the final furlong, going on to score comfortably by two and a half lengths.

Recent course and distance winner Eight Till Late (8/1) finished second, while Tarazani (8/1) was another length and a quarter back in third.

Harrington said: "He's a lovely horse and is unlucky not to have won a maiden. The step up in trip suited him well, and he loves that good ground.

"He can only improve and I didn't get him until this year because he was so big and gangly. He won't have any difficulty stepping up to two miles, and he'll definitely be kept in training next year."

STEWARDS REPORTS

Under the provisions of Rule 90 (iii), the Stewards allowed Hurricane Sky trained by Charles O'Brien, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the horse was correctly vaccinated in accordance with Rule 91.

Under the provisions of Rule 90 (iii), the Stewards allowed Landsman trained by A.J.Martin, to run on receipt of the trainer's written assurance that the horse was correctly vaccinated in accordance with Rule 91.

The Stewards interviewed T.P. Madden, rider of Hurricane Sky, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that the rider was in breach of Regulation 10.3(f) in that he used his whip with excessive frequency and Regulation 10.3(g) in that he had used his whip with the arm above shoulder height. Having taken his previous record in this regard into account, the Stewards suspended T.P. Madden for 2 racedays, 1 day in respect of each offence.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee