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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Murphy & O'Connor combine with River

Fri 27th Dec 2013, 15:38

Burren River (No 3) does well to avoid Lord Heathfield who is about to crash out at the second lastBurren River (No 3) does well to avoid Lord Heathfield who is about to crash out at the second last
© Photo Healy Racing

The Willie Murphy trained Burren River landed the spoils in what was an incident packed Earl Of Harrington Memorial Maiden Hunters Chase.

Ridden by Derek O’Connor, the lightly raced seven-year-old son of Amilynx was sent off the 9/2 second favourite, having opened at 5/1 on-course.

He won a point-to-point on his debut at Lingstown in November of 2012, before finishing a close-up third on his next start at Ballyragget.

He returned to Wexford to win on his third start at Monksgrage back in March, and he was making his racecourse debut today. Lord Heathfield attempted to make all under Gerry Mangan and he was still in front approaching the second last, but he crashed out there leaving Burren River in the lead.

He was ridden out from there, and he kept on well after the last to score by three and a half lengths. Walden took second at 7/1 under William Thompson for Ian Ferguson at 7/1, while Cork Citizen (12/1) was a further length and three parts back in third for the father and daughter team of Eugene and Maxine O’Sullivan. Winter Magic was sent off the well-backed 7/2 favourite (opened at 5/1), under Jamie Codd for Jimmy Mangan, and he was still in with a shout when he was brought down two out by Lord Heathfield.

Winning owner Michael Lyons, who also bred the winner, is from Claremorris in Co Mayo.

Just eight of the sixteen runners managed to complete the two mile six furlong course.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

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.