Clondaw Warrior wins a bit pot in Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Clondaw Warrior grabbed the featured TOTE November Handicap at Leopardstown with a stout staying performance for Willie Mullins and John Egan.
The seven-year-old gelding raced in seventh on the approach to the home straight. Egan grabbed a hold of him at the two pole when sixth on the outside and he made rapid progress to challenge for the lead at the furlong marker.
Under a drive, he forged on and had enough to repel the fast-finishing Spacious Sky by a neck. The pair were both sent off 16/1 shots. English-raider Albert Bridge made his trip over more than worthwhile as he took third, half a length off the front two. Hisaabaat at 20/1 completed the placings.
“I had a couple of little goes at him going down the back because I thought he was plodding and the twice I did he picked up well,” John Egan said.
“I knew well before the turn he was going to win. I made my mind up from the gates to follow Smullen. I followed him the whole way and he toed me into the race nice.
I had a little feel down the back to see how well he was going and he jumped out of my hands and I just switched him off again. He did it quite easy. If anything I probably went a shade too soon, but anyway we held on.
“Two in a week [won on Laviniad for Willie Mullins Saturday week ago] and it was a pretty nice ride to get. I just kept him as relaxed as I could and I got a nice cover. The balls fell right for me through the race. He didn’t take any hold and he picked up like Willie’s do.”
Willie Mullins, speaking by phone, said: "My only instruction to John Egan was to switch him off and get him settled. He was too keen in the Cesarewitch at the Curragh the last day."
Clondaw Warrior picked up 60,000 euro for this victory.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
