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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Double for Mullins as Diamond wins on debut

Mon 14th Aug 2017, 21:03

Diamond Hill is pushed out by Patrick MullinsDiamond Hill is pushed out by Patrick Mullins
© Photo Healy Racing

After winning the fifth with Fabulous Saga Willie Mullins doubled-up with newcomer Diamond Hill who is owned by his wife Jackie, in the concluding Cummins Homevalue Hardware INH Flat Race.

The well-bred daughter of Beat Hollow is related to plenty of smart sorts, including Blackstairmountain who won the Nakayama Grand Jump in Japan in 2013.

Sent off the 4/6 favourite, the Patrick Mullins ridden victor race mainly in third under a slow pace.

The tempo increased from the four furlong pole, with Diamond Hill improving to the front over two furlongs from home.

She was pushed along over a furlong out, and kept on well from there, going on to score by three lengths. Youghal By The Sea who was backed from 4s to 9/4 on-course, had to settle for second under Jamie Codd on his debut for Gordon Elliott.

Newcomer Rakhine State (16s to 14s on-course) was another half a length back in third for Ross O'Sullivan and Katie Walsh.

The winning rider said afterwards: "She's a good filly. A few people were offered her over the weekend and none of them took her which I was surprised at.

"She's a half-sister to a Grade 1 winner in Blackstairsmountain. She'll win over hurdles and she'll win on the Flat. I think she's probably a black-type mare.

"They went very slow there but that suited her as she's got a lot of gears. She for sale and she's a nice mare for someone who wants a ready-made proven horse.

"Although I wouldn't mind if Jackie didn't sell her as I could ride her in a maiden hurdle!

"There is the Listed mares bumper in Gowran and that's a possibility. We have a few others for it but that's the level I think she'll be at."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards enquired into an incident about 100 yards from the finish involving Rakhine State, ridden by Ms K. Walsh, placed third and Getoutameway ridden by Mr P.J. Cawley, placed fourth, where it appeared that Getoutameway was tight for room on the running rail. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards took no further action.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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.