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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Clements & Martin double up with Okotoks

Mon 4th May 2015, 18:35

Okotoks is ridden out by Steven ClementsOkotoks is ridden out by Steven Clements
© Photo Healy Racing

Steven Clements recorded a double at his local track as the Banbridge man took the bumper, the Down Royal INH Flat Race, aboard Okotoks (had earlier won aboard Lord Fingal .

Trained by Tony Martin, who was also recording a double after the earlier win of Marinero the five-year-old son of Gamut was sent off a 3/1 chance in the colours of owner Malcolm Denmark.

Settled in mid-division he travelled strongly behind the leaders over two furlongs out. He was soon ridden to challenge and hit the front at the furlong pole before keeping on well to score by a length and a quarter.

Newcomer Catch A Lucky Star (50/1) ran a fine race to finish second under Noel McParlan for Jerry Cosgrave while Colwinston was a further three lengths back in third under Johnny King for Suzy Barkley at 10/1. Last Encounter was sent off the 6/4 favourite but he could only manage a disappointing fifth under Patrick Mullins for Mags Mullins.

Clements said in the aftermath: "I had loads of horse. His run in Fairyhouse would have been plenty good enough to win here even though this was a good bumper.

"I didn't want to get there too soon but I got there half an hour too soon! I always thought he was a decent horse. The older he gets the better he is."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

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.