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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Doyle & McManus make the perfect start with Geste

Sun 17th Dec 2017, 12:53

Gran Geste (nearest) just gets up to beat Cask MateGran Geste (nearest) just gets up to beat Cask Mate
© Photo Healy Racing

Gran Geste got up on the line to deny Cask Mate in the opener at Navan this afternoon, the Irish Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle.

Successful on debut at Thurles, the French bred son of Poliglote was since bought by JP McManus, remaining under the care of Liz Doyle, her first horse for the powerful owner.

Sent off the 9/4 second favourite this afternoon, he took closer order on the approach to three out, and was ridden in third at the last.

He kept on strongly on the run-in, getting up on the line to beat Cask Mate by a short head.

The runner-up was returned the 6/4 favourite under Sean Flanagan for Noel Meade, while newcomer Aforementioned (12/1) was another two and a half lengths back in third with Davy Russell aboard for Joseph O'Brien.

Doyle said afterwards: "He was a bit green up the straight but seems to cope with the ground fine. I think there is a lot of improvement in him.

"He was green in Thurles and on and off the bridle, and the same up the straight today. We like him a lot and hopefully he can go forward from here.

"He's the horse who pulled up in the breeze up in Deauville where I bought him for six grand last summer. Since I've bought him, everywhere I've brought he's finished in front. We are just taking baby steps with him so hopefully he can improve again.

"That's my first runner today for JP. I don't know where he will go next. Today was nervous enough!"

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.