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- Baron Samedi leaves rivals for dead
Mark Nunan
Baron Samedi leaves rivals for dead
Baron Samedi and Dylan Browne McMonagle
© Photo Healy Racing
The 9/4 favourite Baron Samedi turned the Paddy Power From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast Handicap into a procession as he stretched clear form over a furlong out to score by a whopping 13 lengths. Pikaia (6/1) was the distant runner-up, half a length in front of Franno (22/1).
The Harbour Watch gelding had got up for a last-gasp success over 1m2f at Cork last week, but this was a far more emphatic success despite the steadier of 10st 3lbs on his back.
It was probably a lesson learned in how not to win by too far, given the importance of the handicap system, for rising star Dylan Browne McMonagle who recorded his 17th winner of the campaign.
The winner is entered over 10f at Navan next Thursday.
Brendan Powell, assistant to winning trainer Joseph O’Brien, observed: "He is a fine horse, he has just learned all the way. A mile and a quarter the other day was probably a bit sharp for him, but he did it well at the end.
"Today he's on and off the bridle all the time, but he stayed the trip very well. He (Dylan Browne McMonagle) said he just gave him one flick and he picked up.
"He's a fine, big horse and no doubt he will go on and do it. He's a horse with a future whether he sticks to the Flat or goes jumping.
"There's no reason why he can't go and win again. I bet he'd even stay farther. There are plenty of options."
Additional reporting by Michael Graham