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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Busty scores on first start for Meade

Mon 1st Oct 2012, 18:10

Busty Brown clears the last under Paul CarberryBusty Brown clears the last under Paul Carberry
© Photo Healy Racing

The 4/5 favourite (backed from 7/4 this morning and 11/10 on-course) Busty Brown continued the excellent run of Noel Meade and Paul Carberry (fifth win since last Wednesday) as he took the On Course Vets Maiden Hurdle.

The 6yo son of Mr Combustible was previously trained by Pat Fahey and performed well on each of his four starts in bumpers for Fahey.

He finished three parts of a length second to Champagne Agent on his last start in a bumper at Cork in April but he reversed the form with that fellow today.

Having tracked the leaders early on he was third at the halfway stage before he improved to lead before the fifth last flight.

He then assert under pressure away from the second last, going on to score easily by six and a half lengths from Champagne Agent in second at 11/4 under Ruby Walsh for Willie Mullins. Noble Pageant finished a further twelve lengths back in third at 16/1 for trainer John Neilan with Andrew McNamara in the saddle.

Winning trainer Noel Meade said afterwards: "We thought he might win it. He was behind Champagne Agent the last day but he was getting eight pounds off him today.

"The ground was also a factor. We weren’t sure whether he would go on it. He stays very well and three miles suits him. He will stick to hurdling for the moment."

The winner was bred by Martin Cullinane who trained him to finish second on his sole point-to-point start at Boulta back in November of 2011.

(On-course reporting by Thomas Weekes)

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.