Stuccodor under Pat Smullen (right) holds off Love Nest with Irish Reel (finished 4th) in behind© Photo Healy Racing
Despite taking a walk in the market Dermot Weld’s Stuccodor forged on well under Pat Smullen to win the Leopardstown handicap.
The three-year-old gelding was just shaded by a head in Galway by South South West over an extended mile and raced over a mile and one tonight.
Punters deserted him however, as he drifted from 4/1 to 7/1 on the off. Several horses were nibbled at on course but the big mover of the day was Denis Cullen’s Keep Swinging from 25/1 to 5/1 in the morning, and in fact he went off favourite at that price, but finished plum last.
Winning jockey Pat Smullen said: “He’s only a June foal and is only coming to himself. Hopefully there’s another one in him.”
Dermot Weld added: “It was a good battling performance by him. He ran an excellent race in Galway and was a shade unlucky. He’s back in again here next Thursday, but it might be a bit soon. That’s his trip. Pat gave him a powerful ride.”
In the 22-runner contest first reserve Love Nest made good use of getting in by coming second at 16/1. McTaggart (20/1) and the busy Irish Reel (14/1) rounded out the placings.
