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Coffee gets up to deny the favourite

Team Coffee - Niall 'Slippers' Madden (left) and Niall 'Boots' MaddenTeam Coffee - Niall 'Slippers' Madden (left) and Niall 'Boots' Madden
© Photo Healy Racing

Coffee got up in the final strides to beat the favourite Seville Star in the Lynn Lodge Stud Maiden.

A four time winner over hurdles when trained in the UK, the JP McManus owned nine-year-old finished a good fifth to Roconga on his flat debut at Dundalk in April.

He was since second over hurdles to Fire In Soul at Ballinrobe, and he was sent off a 14/1 chance this evening with Niall 'Slippers' Madden in the saddle for his father Niall 'Boots'.

Settled in mid-division, he was ridden in seventh two furlongs out. He came with his challenge down the outer from the furlong pole, getting up close home to prevail by a head.

The well-backed Seville Star (5/2 last night and from 5/4 to 10/11 favourite on-course) had to settle for second under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger, while Hall Pass (20/1) was a further length back in third under Declan McDonogh for Charles O'Brien.

The winning handler said afterwards: "That was great. He ran a cracker the last day in Ballinrobe.

"He's a bit difficult to train. It's great to get the win with him as he's a long time knocking on the door.

"He'll probably go chasing now.

"In the last stride a fella beside me said he was up but I wasn't sure."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
14/1
Tote €6.80 €2.40
2nd
hd
10/11Fav
€1.02
3rd
1L
20/1
€8.40
4th
1.25L
7/1
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.