Lakemilan and Conor McNamara jump the last© Photo Healy Racing
The feature race at Cork, the coopsuperstores.ie Handicap Chase (Grade B), produced a great result for Carrigtwohill trainer Terence O’Brien as Lakemilan (11/4 fav) led home stablemate Articulum (5/1) to scoop nearly 40,000 Euros in total prize-money for the stable.
The winner, under Conor McNamara, fairly scooted clear from the second last to win readily by eight and a half lengths from the runner-up who was conceding 23lbs on his seasonal reappearance. Seskin Flyer (12/1) fared best of the rest in third, another three lengths away.
"She had been so consistent all year, was in good form and keeps improving and is an amazing filly in fairness to her, said winning trainer Ternce O'Brien.
"There is nothing of her there but she keeps improving, keeps eating and holding herself together. I wasn't sure when the fall-off would happen but it hasn't happened yet and that was an improvement again.
"Today was the target for a good while so I'm not sure where we go but she is going to be a 135 mare now.
"I was thrilled with Articulum but I didn't think he travelled great throughout the race. I told Phillip (Enright)not to be hard on him as it was his first run back and from a long way out he wasn't going to win the race.
"I trying to watch both horses with a couple of kids hanging off me as well so it was hard enough to watch but Articulum seemed to see it out well for a first run back and also in a handicap.
"He is very well handicapped over hurdles and I'm tempted to go for a handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse next. I'm also half-tempted to go to Cheltenham in November too but I'm not sure."
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
