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Somehow on top in McCalmont

Somehow and Seamus Heffernan beat Laganore (left) and Sea Swift (right)Somehow and Seamus Heffernan beat Laganore (left) and Sea Swift (right)
© Photo Healy Racing

Somehow asserted in the closing stages to claim the Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes at Gowran this afternoon.

The Ballydoyle filly was sent off a 6/4 shot for the Listed event and was settled towards the rear by Seamie Heffernan in the nine-furlong contest.

She started to take closer order turning for home and had to come between rivals to challenge a furlong from home.

The daughter of Fastnet Rock overcame Laganore inside the final furlong, going on for a length-and-a-quarter victory. Sea Swift stayed on to grab the runner-up spot at the line.

Somehow, winner of a Listed and Group 3 race last season, had been beaten favourite on her return to action in the Park Express Stakes at Naas, losing out to English raider Czabo by half a length.

"She was placed in a Classic (fourth in Oaks) so it's no surprise that she has won,” said Heffernan.

“I think they were watering the ground just to keep it safe so it should be a little bit better on the outside.

“Donnacha (O'Brien) rode her the last day and she just took a blow at the wrong time, and she just got done. That will bring her on again."

(Quotes by Donal Murphy)

About Gary Carson
Gary started out as a trainee/assistant journalist with the Sporting Life newspaper and has worked in the racing industry for over 25 years. He has been with the Press Association since 2013 and won the Irish Field Nap Table in 2016. He enjoys working with horses and trained his own horse, Mamaslittlestar, to win a point-to-point in 2019.