Pit Stop, left, wins a driving finish in Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
Well-backed Pit Stop got up in the last strides to pip Beyond Brilliance in the conclusion of the mile handicap for three-year-olds.
Shane Foley was in the Sheikh Mohammed colours for Mick Halford. He had the colt settled in fourth, but pushed him along into third on the approach to the home turn. From there he stayed on and challenged Beyond Brilliance with a furlong and a half to race.
The two horses were locked together with Beyond Brilliance holding a marginal advantage. But as the line loomed Pit Stop responded to Foley’s urgings to get up and score by a short head at 11/8 (from 5/2 earlier in the day).
Mick Halford said: “They were going steady and when he went to sneak into it Kevin came up on his outside [Kevin Manning on Focussed and he had to get racing a bit too soon.
“It’s only his third run. He’s a lovely big horse and he stuck his head out. He’s a big scopey type with a good attitude. I’ve got some nice horses for Sheikh Mohammed."
On Toscanini who runs in the Chesham at Ascot on Saturday, Halford added: “He’s in good form and I think he’ll like the ground and seven furlongs. He’s been doing everything right.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
