Zalty misses break but still wins

The David Marnane trained Zalty arrived late to finally get his head in front where it matters, taking the Leopardstown Summer Music And Racing Festival Handicap at Leopardstown today under jockey Fergal Lynch.

A winner on debut at Dundalk last year and having his fourth run today, the son of Elusive City missed the break and raced in rear for much of the journey. Lynch made his move on the wide outside in the straight, finished well to edge past dead-heaters General Brook and Queen Of The Sand

Marnane wasn't present but an impressed Lynch later said “that wasn't the plan! He was supposed to be up there but missed the break; this horse has serious ability though and should be unbeaten.

“He thought he had won at Naas (when beaten a nose) and the ground was too heavy for him at Killarney. I'm really looking forward to him going to Dubai (Carnival) as he will love the tapeta surface. I like this horse.”

By Thomas Weekes, quotes from Alan Magee.