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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Hiella delights connections with Curragh victory

Fri 9th Aug 2019, 18:46

Hiella approaches the line in front of Sun Sign, rightHiella approaches the line in front of Sun Sign, right
© Photo Healy Racing

Strong-travelling Hiella (5/1) got off the mark for Johnny Murtagh in the five-furlong maiden at the Curragh.

Shane Foley 's mount tanked into contention down the centre of the track a furlong and a half out.

She was pushed along to grab the lead inside the final furlong and kept on powerfully to repel fast-finishing Sun Sign (5/1) by a neck. Castletownshend the 9/2 favourite, was placed again in third.

Johnny Murtagh said: “She fractured her pelvis when she ran as a two-year-old so it’s taken her a while to come back.

“Niall was very happy with her the last day when she stayed on well. We’ve just been patient and got her fit.

“I just rang the owner (Martin McHale) who is in Portugal and he’s absolutely delighted.

“She’s rated 69 so she should be okay in a handicap if he leaves her alone. Hopefully she’ll get a go at a 0-70 handicap.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
5/1
Tote €5.50 €2.10
2nd
nk
5/1
€2.10
3rd
0.75L
9/2Fav
€1.60
4th
1.25L
14/1
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.