A Henry De Bromhead trained horse has claimed the Savills Steeplechase on day three of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival but it wasn't Manilla Indo as expected.
15-to-2 shot A Plus Tard has been ridden to victory in the big race of the day by 20 year old Cork jockey Darragh O'Keefe - his first ever Grade One win.
The Willie Mullins trained Kemboy and Melon were second and third.
The favourite Manilla Indo and jockey Rachael Blackmore didn't finish after falling.
When asked if A Plus Tard could be a Gold Cup contender Henry de Bromhead said: “Absolutely, he stayed at it really well and needed every inch of it. I wouldn't like to make any plans yet. We'll see whether it's the Ryanair or the Gold Cup, it's up to everyone involved.”
Unbelievable!
A Plus Tard snatches victory in a remarkable Savills Chase for Darragh O'Keeffe, @HenrydeBromhead and @CPStudOfficial 👏 @LeopardstownRC #LRCChristmas pic.twitter.com/5qzzEpgw5g— Racing TV (@RacingTV) December 28, 2020
There was a surprise too in the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle which the Gavin Cromwell trained Flooring Porter won after going off a starting price of 11-to-1.
The five-year-old was ridden to victory by Jonathan Moore, his first ever Grade One win.
Limerick
Earlier in Limerick, Dungarvan based owner Mustafa Elatrash had his colours carried to victory when the Henry De Bromhead trained and Hugh Morgan partnered Heather Rocco captured the 1.00 race over hurdles.
Heather Rocco was bred in Dungarvan by Niall Flynn.
Irish racing.com reports that Hugh Morgan said about Heather Rocco:
"When they came to him again I was very impressed with the way he picked up - it felt like he had plenty left in the tank. He loved the ground and I was very impressed. Please God he'll keep on improving."
And Villierstown jockey Mikey Hamill enjoyed a welcome change of luck steering 5/1 shot Dinny Lacey to victory over fences in the 3.20 contest at Limerick this afternoon.
Elsewhere at Limerick the feature race of the day, the Tim Duggan Memorial Handicap Steeplechase, was won by the Philip Dempsey trained The Long Mile.
And the Gordon Elliott trained 'Farouk D'alene' won the Grade Two Lyons of Limerick Jaguar Land Rover Novice Hurdle after being guided to victory by Jody McGarvey.
