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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Deserved win for Nero Emperor

Sun 29th Sep 2013, 16:11

Nero Emperor (black silks) is driven out by Wayne Lordan to beat English Deer (alongside) Nero Emperor (black silks) is driven out by Wayne Lordan to beat English Deer (alongside)
© Photo Healy Racing

After going close on his last few starts, Nero Emperor (10/1) got a deserved win to his name as he took the Mongey Communications Joe McGrath Handicap, under Wayne Lordan for Tommy Stack.

The four-year-old son of Holy Roman Emperor finished less than a length fourth to Corporal Maddox over the course and distance in August, before finishing second to My Good Brother in the 'Bold Lad' Sprint Handicap over five furlongs here earlier this month.

Sent off a 10/1 chance, the Pension Fund Syndicate owned gelding raced towards the rear in the early stages, and he had just two behind him at the halfway point.

He made progress towards the far rail two furlongs out, and he travelled well with a furlong left to race.

He stayed on strongly in the closing stages, hitting the front with just 150 yards out, scoring by a head at the line. English Deer (16/1), who was making his handicap debut, finished a gallant second under Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan, while Tylery Wonder was a length and three parts back in third under Billy Lee for Willie McCreery at 20/1. Invincible Ridge (16/1) completed the placings a short head back in fourth under Leigh Roche for Darren Bunyan, while the 5/1 favourite, Machete Mark could only manage a disappointing twelfth under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons.

Tommy Stack said afterwards: "He has been threatening to do that for a bit. He is quite a nice horse and it is great to see him a nice pot like that."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
10/1
Tote €10.80 €2.30
2nd
hd
16/1
€6.00
3rd
1.75L
20/1
€4.60
4th
shd
16/1
€6.00
bf
shd
5/1Fav
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.