Stuart Crawford introduced a promising new contender, Glynn Brae, to secure a victory in the four-year-old bumper event at Leopardstown.
The gelding by Califet defied the odds, starting at 11/2 after being initially priced at double that in the morning. Under the skillful guidance of jockey Stephen Connor, Glynn Brae surged into the lead a furlong and a half from the finish line, a position they maintained till the end.
Maintaining their lead at the furlong pole, they fended off Delta Force (28/1) by a comfortable two-and-a-half lengths. The rest of the field trailed behind, with Baron Noir (11/2) finishing third, more than seven lengths behind the winner.
Owner Steven Crawford, who is also the trainer's brother, shared his thoughts on the victory:
“I was worried about the ground conditions. Given his lineage from a Presenting mare, I believed he would perform better on firmer ground. Despite the conditions, he showcased his class, which is characteristic of high-calibre horses.
"He had to make a decisive move early on as he found himself leading with no other contenders in sight. Although Stephen mentioned he hit the front too soon, sometimes you have to seize the opportunity when it presents itself.
"I anticipate that on good ground, he will excel further and display his true potential. His ability to stay the distance was evident today, a quality he proved he possesses.
"I wouldn't be surprised if I no longer own this horse by next week! Earlier today, I had written him off, but as the ground conditions improved, we decided to take a chance based on feedback from jockeys JJ Slevin and Keith Donoghue, both of whom indicated that while the ground was soft, it wasn't excessively challenging."