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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Focus follows-up for Joseph O'Brien Racing Club

Wed 25th Jul 2018, 18:07

Focus Of Attention (nearest) comes with her winning run under Donnacha O'BrienFocus Of Attention (nearest) comes with her winning run under Donnacha O'Brien
© Photo Healy Racing

Focus Of Attention followed-up on her win at Fairyhouse, as she got up close home in the opener at Naas, the Bunoscionn Perform At Naas Handicap.

Previously trained by Eddie Lynam, and bought for E23,000 at Goffs in February, she was third on her debut for Joseph O'Brien at Navan last month.

Successful at Fairyhouse just last Wednesday, the daughter of Intense Focus was expected to win again this evening, going off the even money favourite in the colours of the Joseph O'Brien Racing Club.

Settled towards rear, the chestnut four-year-old was niggled along from halfway, making progress from over a furlong out.

She came with her effort inside the final furlong, and got to the front with under 50 yards to race, going on to score snugly, by half a length.

The front-running Rapid Reaction (14s this morning and from 8s to 7s on-course) had to settle for second under Andrew Slattery for Jimmy Coogan. Polly Douglas (16s this morning and from 11s to 8s on-course) was another length and a three parts back in third, with Dylan Hogan aboard this one for Kieran Cotter.

"She looks like she could do with going back to six furlongs," said O'Brien.

"I was worried at halfway, I thought she would have lots of pace for five, but I was wrong.

"Donnacha said when she met the hill she galloped out to the line well. I think he just gave her a flick but when it's that close it's never that cosy and looking at it at halfway I was worried.

"If you were looking at the others they weren't going that quick but If you were looking at her she was flat out.

"She's due to go up a pound and might get another four on top of that maybe. That was a 0-90 today so she'll get another shot at that bracket."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
1/1Fav
Tote €1.90 €1.02
2nd
0.5L
7/1
€2.30
3rd
1.75L
8/1
€2.60
4th
hd
12/1
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.