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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Slipper & McGovern do it again

Fri 17th Oct 2014, 19:31

The grey Slipper Orchid is driven out close home by Conor McGovernThe grey Slipper Orchid is driven out close home by Conor McGovern
© Photo Healy Racing

After winning over the course last Friday Conor McGovern and Slipper Orchid repeated the feat this evening as they took the valuable Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.

McGovern recorded his first success aboard the grey daughter of Verglas last week and he doubled his tally aboard the Carol Roper owned five-year-old this evening.

Trained by Mick Halford the now seven time winner was sent off the 11/4 second favourite with the well-backed Maremmadiavola going off the market leader at 5/2 (from 7/2).

Settled in mid-division she was ridden from two furlongs out and was switched to the outer to challenge with just over a furlong to race.

She hit the front inside the final 50 yards and she kept on well to score by a length. Kiss The Stars finished second at 12/1 under Connor King for Tom McCourt while the aforementioned favourite was a short head back in third under Chris Hayes for Eddie Lynam.

Mick Halford said afterwards: "She's unbelievably genuine and the 10lb is obviously a big help. Conor gave her a lovely ride.

"She'll come back here for the Listed Cooley Stakes. She's Listed placed already. She loves it around here and has had a wonderful week.

"I'm delighted for Conor. She is a lovely ride. She settles and does everything right and gives the young lads a chance to concentrate on what they should be doing.

"I'm delighted for Carol Roper. When I suggest a rider for her it's never a problem and it's great to have a filly like her to get the lads going."

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.