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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Ballerina justifies favouritism under Fogarty

Thu 7th Nov 2013, 16:06

Famous Ballerina jumps the last in front of Island Villa who eventually finished thirdFamous Ballerina jumps the last in front of Island Villa who eventually finished third
© Photo Healy Racing

Famous Ballerina justified favouritism in the Holycross Handicap Hurdle, as she scored under Mikey Fogarty for trainer John Berry.

The bay five-year-old daughter of Golan (second winner of the afternoon for that sire after Catimini won the fourth), finished second on her last two outings at Tramore and Clonmel respectively, and she was sent off the 5/2 favourite to get her head in front today.

Settled in mid-division, she took closer order after the fourth last, and she was pushed along in fifth as they entered the straight.

She responded well to pressure and came through between horses to lead approaching the final flight, keeping on well on the run-in to score by a length and a quarter. Caitlin Brook stayed on well to take second at 16/1 under Shane Shortall for Stephen Ryan, while Island Villa was a further length and a half back in third under Andrew McNamara for Denis Hogan at 20/1. Duty Dance for trainer/jockey Danny Howard completed the placings another length and a quarter back in fourth at 16/1.

The winner was purchased by Berry for just €800 as a yearling at Goffs in October of 2009.

1st
5/2Fav
Tote €1.80 €1.60
2nd
1.25L
16/1
€1.80
3rd
1.5L
20/1
€6.00
4th
1.25L
16/1
€3.60
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.