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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Double for McNamara as Saint beats Steps

Fri 30th Aug 2013, 18:53

Great picture of Saint Gervais (nearest) & Steps To Freedom landing over the last togetherGreat picture of Saint Gervais (nearest) & Steps To Freedom landing over the last together
© Photo Healy Racing

Saint Gervais edged out Steps To Freedom on the run-in to take the Kelly, Foley & Co Beginners Chase providing Andrew McNamara with a 103/1 double (won the second on Flatfoot Boogie .

The John Kiely trained eight-year-old son of Revoque was 4/1 this morning with Paddy Power, but he was friendless with punters, opening on-course at 11/2 before going off at 7/1.

The now five time career winner was having just his third start over fences this evening, and he was settled behind the leaders.

He came with his challenge entering the straight, and he had a good battle with Steps To Freedom, before edging ahead on the run-in to score by a length.

Steps To Freedom was sent off the 8/11 favourite for Jessica Harrington and Robbie Power, but he had to settle for second for the fifth time in-a-row, while Run With The Wind was fourteen lengths back in third under Phillip Enright (replaced Barry Geraghty) for Michael Hourigan at 12/1.

John Kiely said afterwards: "That’s not before time. I was a little disappointed with him at Roscommon the last day but Black Benny was on form there.

"He’ll keep going now while the ground is good."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.