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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Macnicholson takes the McEnery Cup

Wed 12th Aug 2015, 19:43

Macnicholson is driven out by Fran BerryMacnicholson is driven out by Fran Berry
© Photo Healy Racing

Macnicholson recorded his first win under flat rules as he took the McEnery Cup Handicap under Fran Berry for Jessica Harrington.

Having finished a good seventh in the Galway Hurdle on his last start (would have been closer only for being hampered at the last) the son of Definite Article was sent off a 7/1 chance in the colours of Joe O'Flaherty.

Slowly into stride he was pushed along in the early stages before settling in mid-division.

He made rapid headway in the back straight on the inner as the field raced wide off the rail.

He was a close second from five furlongs out and was ridden to lead entering the straight.

The six-year-old victor then went a few lengths clear with under two furlongs to race and he kept on well under pressure to score by a length and three parts. Breenainthemycra ran a fine race to finish second at 7/1 under Danny Grant for Eoin Doyle while He's Our Man (9/1) was a further length and three parts back in third under Colm O'Donoghue for George Kingston. Askmour was sent off the 11/2 favourite and she could only manage a disappointing seventh under Emmet McNamara for Frank Dunne.

Fran Berry said afterwards: "He was a bit unlucky in the Galway Hurdle where he was nearly brought down but it was a good run as it was.

"The blinkers on today helped a lot. Jessica said to make plenty of use of him as a mile and a half is his minimum trip."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
7/1
Tote €10.10 €2.20
2nd
1.75L
7/1
€2.30
3rd
1.75L
9/1
€3.20
4th
1.5L
20/1
bf
1.25L
11/2Fav
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.