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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

O'Brien and Heffernan at double with Armory

Fri 14th Aug 2020, 15:48

Armory, centre, surges home to grab Numerian, leftArmory, centre, surges home to grab Numerian, left
© Photo Healy Racing

Armory was value for more than the winning margin of a neck in the Group 3 Royal Whip over 10 furlongs at the Curragh after suffering a nightmare route.

The 13/8 favourite was caught in a pocket on the inner at the two pole, and was checked with no room at the furlong marker.

However, once he saw daylight between horses in the final 100 yards, he burst through and got up to collar Numerian (8/1).

Jockey Seamie Heffernan said: “I was doing more pulling than pushing for most of the race! He got me out of trouble and he was the best horse in the race.”

Armory gave Aidan O'Brien and Heffernan a double on the card as they teamed up in the preceding Group 3 with Delphi

Armory had finished fourth in the Group One Tattersalls Gold Cup over course and distance in July and, prior to that, filled the same berth in the Group One Irish 2,000 Guineas in June.

This was his first victory since the Group 2 Futurity Stakes during his juvenile campaign.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.