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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Leonard earns plaudits from the front on Garrick Painter

Wed 20th Dec 2023, 20:10

Garrick Painter and Killian LeonardGarrick Painter and Killian Leonard
© Photo Healy Racing

Garrick Painter benefitted from a fine front-running ride by Killian Leonard to take the DundalkStadium.com Handicap.

The 15/2 chance, available at 16/1 earlier in the day, was claimed here by northern trainer Noel Kelly in October and has given connections a quick repayment on a 20,000 outlay.

Leonard’s mount got away smartly from an outside draw in stall 17 and was allowed to dictate matters off a steady pace before winding up the pace entering the straight.

The Zoffany gelding edged left inside the final furlong but still kept on well to beat Obama Army by a length and three quarters.

The 9/4 favourite Picpoul kept on well between horses inside the final furlong to take third a further half-a-length adrift.

Kelly said, "It was a canny ride! Jump out and do what you can, I said.

"I watched Seamie Heffernan here last week - jumped out, got down into that last bend and pulled it (pace) up and he dictated. You have to do that.

"He had all-weather form in Britain and I thought he gave him a brilliant ride.

"We plan to go hurdling now, we bought him to go hurdling. That's a new syndicate that has bought into him. I thought we would take six grand prize money around Dundalk first!"

Quotes by Michael Graham

1st
15/2
Tote €9.50 €3.10
2nd
1.75L
28/1
€8.40
3rd
0.5L
9/4Fav
€1.10
4th
hd
17/2
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.