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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Shanahan the King at Wexford

Fri 24th Aug 2012, 18:08

King Of The Picts comes with his challenge on the outside of Much Acclaimed (inside) and Buy Back BobKing Of The Picts comes with his challenge on the outside of Much Acclaimed (inside) and Buy Back Bob
© Photo Healy Racing

Pat Shanahan recorded his fifth win as a trainer and his third at Wexford as he took the Pinnacle Handicap with King Of The Picts

The 3yo son of Rock Of Gibraltar was having fourth career start today and his first in handicap company.

The David Wachman trained Circumstances kicked for home four furlongs out and went clear under Colm O’Donoghue.

Her lead was reduced a furlong and a half from home as the winner, Much Acclaimed and Buy Back Bob chased her down.

King Of The Picts then stayed on best from there under Ronan Whelan to score by a neck at the line from the staying on Much Acclaimed in second under Pierce Gallagher at 13/2. Hail was sent off the 5/2 favourite for double seeking Joseph and Aidan O’Brien but he didn’t seem to enjoy the ground and finished a disappointing sixth.

Pat Shanahan said afterwards: "He is a grand genuine horse. He was fourth in two Leopardstown maidens.

"I wasn't sure the handicapper was right giving him a mark of 74 but he was proved right.

"He is in the sales at Newmarket but I hope he won’t be sold. He will make a nice jumping horse and he loves a cut in the ground.

"I will run him again before the sales and try and get another bracket for him."

1st
9/2
Tote €4.90 €2.20
2nd
nk
13/2
€6.30
3rd
0.75L
7/2
4th
0.5L
13/2
bf
1.25L
5/2Fav
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.