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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Dramatic conclusion as Scotch completes hat-trick

Sun 7th Apr 2019, 17:07

Breesy Mountain crashes out at the last with eventual winner Scotch Quay in the cheekpieces Breesy Mountain crashes out at the last with eventual winner Scotch Quay in the cheekpieces
© Photo Healy Racing

Scotch Quay made it a hat-trick of wins in the Boylesports Handicap Hurdle, scoring under Ricky Doyle for Eoin Griffin.

Having finally made the breakthrough at Clonmel last month, the son of Arakan followed-up at Wexford on Friday last.

Turned out again quickly, the six-year-old was sent off the 7/2 favourite this afternoon, racing in the colours of Griffin's wife Martina.

Settled behind the leaders, the bay victor came with his challenge approaching two out and soon improved into a narrow lead.

He was strongly pressed and headed by Breesy Mountain on the run to the last, but was soon left in a share of the lead again as that rival crashed out.

Scotch Quay picked up well from the last to go on score by five lengths, with No Way Jack (who was slightly hampered at the last) finishing second at 28/1. Luis Van Zandt (10/1) and Xinbama (25/1) completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.

Griffin said afterwards: "When a bit of luck comes your way you won't turn it down! Once he landed (after the last) he was flying but what would have happened you don't know.

"He deserves a little break now as he's had a hard two weeks. It's amazing what a win and a bit of confidence can do.

"He's taking the races well but we're doing nothing different with him at home. He's turned a corner and we're delighted as he's a real favourite at home.

"There is a two and a half mile novice handicap here at Easter that we might have a look at. Hopefully he can pick up another one."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
7/2Fav
Tote €3.90 €1.60
2nd
5L
28/1
€5.10
3rd
1L
10/1
€2.70
4th
0.5L
25/1
€7.70
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.