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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Kostar lands big on-course gamble

Thu 9th Aug 2012, 19:35

Winning rider Mark EnrightWinning rider Mark Enright
© Photo Healy Racing

On just his second start for Dessie Hughes, the French import Kostar landed an on-course gamble as he got up to deny Kildunne in the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

Ridden by Mark Enright, the 5yo son of Astrabad was sent off at 9/2, backed from his opening show of 11/1.

Kildunne under Pat Kennedy for double seeking Michael Winters hit the front and was travelling well from before the second last with the winner under pressure in second.

After the last Kildunne was then ridden as the winner found more on the run-in and kept on best to score by two lengths.

The front pair went forty-two lengths clear of the third who was the Mark McNiff trained Fast Exit at 15/2 under Derek Fox.

The Pat Martin trained Cheyenne Girl was sent off the 9/4 favourite but she could only manage a disappointing sixth of the eight runners under Mikey Butler.

Winning rider Mark Enright said afterwards: "The horse in front (Kildunne) was travelling well and even though I was driving my fella along I knew he would always keep galloping."

Enright was recording his third winner in the last five days after scoring aboard Paddy O Dee at Galway on Sunday and Western Promise at Roscommon on Tuesday.

After the race Cheyenne Girl was examined by the vet and was found to be post race distressed.

(On-course 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.