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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Gamble landed with Gurteen

Mon 28th Dec 2015, 16:32

Gurteen is driven out by Derek O'Connor to beat Some Neck (grey) and Broken Soul (noseband)Gurteen is driven out by Derek O'Connor to beat Some Neck (grey) and Broken Soul (noseband)
© Photo Healy Racing

The Robert Tyner trained Gurteen landed a gamble in the bumper at Leopardstown, the Midlands Legal Solicitors INH Flat Race.

Successful on his debut in a point-to-point at Dromahane last month, the son of Golan then finished a good second to Min on his racecourse debut in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown.

Available at 11/2 last night he opened on-course at just 3/1 before going off the second favourite at 9/4.

Settled towards rear by Derek O'Connor he made good progress to track the leaders as they approached the straight.

He came with his challenge down the outer with under two furlongs to race, hitting the front from the furlong pole before staying on well under pressure to score by a length and a half.

The 7/4 favourite Some Neck who was odds-on in early shows, finished second under Patrick Mullins for his father Willie, while Broken Soul was a further half a length back in third under Nina Carberry for Gordon Elliott at 11/4.

Robert Tyner said afterwards: "We've always liked him and he's a very well bred horse.

"He won his point-to-point very easily and probably didn't learn a lot then. He got some nice experience the last day and seemed to come on from the run.

"He'll probably go back over hurdles now.

"We were hoping for some rain coming here so it would be loose. We came up here to avoid the real deep ground in Limerick."

The winner is owned by Brendan Keogh while he is a half-brother to six time winner Head Of The Posse who was twice placed at the highest level over fences.

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.