Lieutenant Command and Michael O'Sullivan (nearest) © Photo Healy Racing
Michael O'Sullivan partnered his first winner for both Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud and trainer Noel Meade today, landing Leopardstown's featured Grade B Carrickmines Handicap Chase on Lieutenant Command (18/1).
Pulled up previously in January's heavy-ground Thyestes Chase, the nine year old was today produced from off the pace to lead approaching the last, before launching himself at that obstacle, and eventually beating Mars Harper
Meade reported “the ground made the difference and I need a kick in the head because I was running him in bad ground everywhere and he couldn't handle it.”
“He won his bumper in heavy ground at Limerick and that codded me all along - he's just a different horse on goodish ground.”
The trainer's other runner Jerandme fell, when in contention, at the second-last and he added “I had this race in mind for a while. When the ground was good the other fella (Jerandme) had to run as well. He was going well enough when he fell and it was unfortunate.
“We'll make sure that the winner stays on that ground and I'm sure he'll stay in training through the year. He might turn out to be a Galway Plate horse but the trouble is that Galway may not be the place for him as he's a big awkward sort and needs plenty of room.”
Quotes from Gary Carson
