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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

O'Brien doubles-up as Magic springs surprise

Sun 30th Aug 2015, 15:02

Kind Of Magic is ridden out by Seamie Heffernan to beat How High The Moon (white cap) and Leafy Shade (inside)Kind Of Magic is ridden out by Seamie Heffernan to beat How High The Moon (white cap) and Leafy Shade (inside)
© Photo Healy Racing

Aidan O'Brien completed a quick double at the Curragh as his Kind Of Magic sprang a 14/1 surprise in the Listed Flame Of Tara EBF (Fillies) Stakes.

Fifth on her debut over the course in June she then finished fourth behind Now Or Never at Galway.

Stepped up to a mile for the first time today she was soon sent to the front by Seamie Heffernan and was ridden and headed over two furlongs out.

She battled back gamely to regain the lead inside the final 100 yards, keeping on well to score by half a length. How High The Moon who was sent off the 7/4 favourite, had every chance from over a furlong out but she couldn't get by her stable mate and had to settle for second under Joseph O'Brien. Leafy Shade (11/2), who hit the front over two furlongs out, was a nose back in third under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger while second favourite Miss Katie Mae (7/2) was a disappointing eighth.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "They are two lovely fillies. The winner improved a good bit from her first to second run. She was only running at seven furlongs and we thought stepping up to a mile she would improve.

"The second ran well but was just green. Both of them will be lovely middle distance fillies next year."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards enquired into possible interference about 1 furlong out involving Kind Of Magic, ridden by J.A. Heffernan,winner, How High The Moon, ridden by J.P. O'Brien, placed second, and Last Waltz ridden by W.J. Lee, placed fourth, where it appeared Last Waltz suffered interference. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the judges' placings and took no further action.

The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Miss Katie Mae, trained by G.M.Lyons, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be Post Race Normal.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
14/1
Tote €21.70 €3.90
2nd
0.5L
7/4Fav
€1.02
3rd
nose
11/2
€1.70
4th
1L
9/1
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.