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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Akatara at last!

Sun 2nd Jun 2013, 16:49

Akatara, right, comes with a late rattle at KilbegganAkatara, right, comes with a late rattle at Kilbeggan
© Photo Healy Racing

Doubtless there was in-running carnage as Akatara came from another parish to win on the line in the three mile handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan. Derrinlanna and Excellent As Usual were fully 10 lengths clear jumping two out. Excellent As Usual then moved into the lead after the last and had the race at his mercy.

However, he tied up markedly on the climb to the line allowing Akatara (8/1) and Mimi And Bow (11/1) to swoop and flash past the line together.

There was a neck in it, with Michael Bowe’s charge declared the winner, partnered by Brian Hayes.

Remarkably the six-year-old mare was winning for the first time on her 37th start. Referring to that, Michael Bowe said: “I finally found the key to her and that’s to run her every second day! [fourth at Tramore on Friday evening].

“I’m not in the habit of running them again so quickly, but she’s a bit different. We’ll keep her on the go for the summer now.

“Brian thinks that she’ll make a fabulous chaser. She’s an Aga Khan bred.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.