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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Firstman takes the last for Martin and Coen

Thu 29th Sep 2022, 17:57

Firstman is driven to the line by Ben CoenFirstman is driven to the line by Ben Coen
© Photo Healy Racing

Firstman availed of a lovely seam down the inner to defy 10st 2lb in the second division of the Mary Rogers Memorial Handicap in Bellewstown. Bolero put up a brave effort in second in her bid to give Harry Rogers and Siobhan Rutledge a double in both divisions of the race that meant so much to the trainer.

Ben Coen steered Firstman into a threatening position on the rail a furlong and a half out and the pair made solid progress to take over inside the final furlong.

The prominent Bolero (15/2) ran on again close home and got to within three parts of a length of the 11/4 winner. Zebos Beanos (66/1) was in there pitching too in third.

Trainer Tony Martin said: “It’s great for the boys (Keep Your Distance Syndicate) and they are a great cheerful lot who claimed him last year in Dundalk. He was owned by a great man in Eric Carson.

“It’s after working out well and he’s won a couple and was a tad unlucky on Monday.

“It was unreal the way it all opened for him like the Red Sea.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
11/4
Tote €3.90 €1.70
2nd
0.75L
15/2
€1.70
3rd
0.5L
66/1
€12.10
4th
3L
14/1
€4.30
bf
1L
9/4Fav
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.