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Gary Carson

Gary Carson

Ballyorban shows guts in nursery

Sun 4th Nov 2012, 14:16

Ballyorban (red) battles back to land the spoils under Johnny MurtaghBallyorban (red) battles back to land the spoils under Johnny Murtagh
© Photo Healy Racing

Ballyorban rallied gamely to shade the verdict in a bunch finish to the nursery at Leopardstown.

Johnny Murtagh sent the well backed 3/1 favourite (from 5/1) to the front early in the straight after tracking the leaders in the seven-furlong contest.

He looked booked for a place when Newberry Hill swooped inside the final furlong but knuckled down well in the closing stages.

The Ken Condon-trained son of Cape Cross got his head back in front close home to record a neck victory. Harley's Harley who had been prominent throughout also stayed on again and was just denied second by Newberry Hill.

The winner was gaining a deserved success having been a staying on second in the Birdcatcher Nursery on his last outing.

"He's hardy. He's hit a few seconds and today when Deccy (McDonogh) went past I thought it was over," said Murtagh.

"He never gave up and stuck his head down well. He probably deserved that."

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.