Tandem forges clear under Finian Maguire© Photo Healy Racing
The eleven-year-old Tandem rolled back the years as he claimed the Holden Plant Rentals (Q.R) Race.
Without a win since July of 2017, the Dermot Weld trained gelding had been knocking on the door of late, running well in defeat at Gowran and Cork on his last two starts.
Available at 10/1 in a place this morning, the son of Dansili went off at just 9/2 under Finian Maguire and was settled in mid-division.
He took closer order with half a mile left to race, easing to the front at the furlong pole before going on to score convincingly by two and three parts of a lengths. Persian Lion ran a fine race to finish second at 100/1 under Melaine Horsman for Katy Brown, while the front-running Millford Sound (200/1) plugged on gamely to take third.
2017 Melbourne Cup hero Rekindling was sent of the 2/1 favourite (from 4s). He didn't enjoy the clearest of runs, but kept on down the outer to finish sixth.
Weld said afterwards: "He ran a cracking race in Cork last Sunday and when the handicapper put him up a couple of pounds we said we might as well come here.
"He's probably the oldest horse running here today but he's an amazing horse and has a wonderful owner Mr Olivero from Italy who has had horses with me for years.
"The other reason I ran him is that he loves Leopardstown and won the Nasrullah Premier Handicap here twice. Six years ago he ran in Dubai and he's just a lovely horse to have.
"We retired him once but he's an example of a horse that loves being a racehorse. He loves life, he loves training in the morning and he loves racing. He's highly competitive at home so if we have something that can beat him you know they're good.
"He's rated 89 and is a hard horse to place so we'll have to see where we go."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Powerful Ted ridden by Mr M.J. O'Hare, and trained by Noel Meade. Evidence was heard from the rider and the trainer's authorised representative Ms. Emma Connolly. Mr M.J. O'Hare stated that he was instructed to tuck his mount in from the start, not to give away any ground on the bends and to go on and win. Mr O'Hare felt that the race was going well for him until turning for home where he was hoping that he would find a gap to challenge from, however no gaps appeared. Emma Connolly confirmed the instructions given to Mr. M.J. O'Hare and added that Mr. Meade was not happy with the ride given to Powerful Ted. The Stewards also received a report from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer who stated that Powerful Ted was post race normal. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations offered.
