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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Livia Galilei gives Bolger Gowran double

Tue 21st Aug 2012, 14:59

Livia Galilei wins the McEnery Cup at Gowran ParkLivia Galilei wins the McEnery Cup at Gowran Park
© Photo Healy Racing

Tough Livia Galilei put her head down and battled to fend off Amira’s Prince by a nose in the latter stages of the McEnery Cup at Gowran Park over a mile and a half.

Jim Bolger’s filly was always prominent, but Amira’s Prince looked a big danger in the final furlong. However, Kevin Manning got more from her to land the cup for the Coolcullen based trainer for the second year in-a-row.

“We have a habit of winning this race. We won it last year with Priomhbhean and I just brought back the cup this morning!” Ger Flynn, travelling head lad to Jim Bolger, said.

“I said hopefully we’ll be bringing it home again. She’s a tough mare and tries her heart out all the way to the line.

“She is gutsy and doesn’t like getting beaten. I’m delighted for her owner Kevin Molloy. He has the mare at home.”

This was Bolger’s fifth win of the McEnery Cup in 11 years and gave him a double at Gowran Park today.

There was a market move for Chicago ridden by Joseph O’Brien and trained by his father. He was supported from 5/1 to 7/2 favourite on course.

The son of Montjeu was dropped out in rear some five lengths adrift of the field early on. He travelled well into contention a furlong out, but found little when asked for more and came in fourth behind All That Rules

(on course reporting by Donal Murphy)

1st
9/2
Tote €5.50 €2.50
2nd
nose
5/1
€1.30
3rd
2.5L
4/1
€2.00
4th
1.75L
7/2Fav
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.