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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Owega Star earns crack at graded company

Thu 19th Sep 2013, 17:03

Owega Star, near side, puts in a great leap at ListowelOwega Star, near side, puts in a great leap at Listowel
© Photo Healy Racing

A fine round of jumping enabled Owega Star to stretch away and win the Kevin McManus Beginners’ Chase at Listowel in good style.

The 11/10 favourite was joined after the third last by strong-travelling Clonbanan Lad (9/4), but quick jumps over the last two fences saw him pull away from Clonbanan Lad to score by four and a quarter lengths.

Trainer Peter Fahey said: “He had a good run the last day and has won round here before so we were pretty confident he would run well. He stays well and is a real galloper.

“He could go to Tipperary at the end of the month for a graded novice chase then he’ll have a bit of a break and we’ll freshen him up for a run at Christmas.

“He enjoys a cut. We started him off early in the season hoping it would be a wet summer like last year. We were running him on ground that was a bit quick. Hopefully he’ll climb the ladder a bit."

Jockey Andrew Leigh said: “That’s five or six winners I’ve had round here. I tried to keep it as simple as possible. I got a lead and then went to win the race.” Usuel Smurfer at 6/1 was third for Shark Hanlon and Danny Mullins. The two bottom weights – Dranagold and Mrs Mac Veale both fell.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

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.