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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Sword Fighter carves them up

Sun 1st May 2016, 18:06

Sword Fighter sheds his maiden tag in SligoSword Fighter sheds his maiden tag in Sligo
© Photo Healy Racing

After saddling the first three home in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, Aidan O'Brien brought up an across-the-card double courtesy of Sword Fighter in Sligo's finale.

The Galileo colt made virtually all under Donnacha O'Brien in this extended mile and a quarter maiden.

The 4/5 favourite was pushed along with less than three furlongs to go and held a healthy three length lead over the driven-along Nudge approaching the straight.

The latter could make no impression as Sword Fighter was ridden to go and win his race at the furlong pole. He was kept up to his work to come in clear by 14 lengths.

Nudge (6/4) came home second under Leigh Roche.

Donnacha O'Brien said: "He stays well and handled the ground well. I'm not sure what he beat but he could make a decent stayer."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.