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Gothen Niece gets her head in front

Gothen Niece and Michael Hussey battle to the line at CorkGothen Niece and Michael Hussey battle to the line at Cork
© Healy Racing Photos

It may have taken 20 races but Gothen Niece got her head in front in a driving finish to division 2 of the mile and a half handicap at Cork.

Michael Hussey was seen at his best to drive the eight-year-old home. The win took Hussey off the cold jockeys table as he snapped a run of 51 rides without success.

Christy Donoghue trains the mare and he said: “She got a good ride, but we intended to drop her out completely.

“She disappointed at Tipperary last time out and I don't know why. We have her handicapped over hurdles so she might go for a hurdle.

“Or after today we might go for another mile and a half handicap on the level.”

The finish involved four horses here. Gothen Niece (8/1) won by half a length from Pat Martin's 3/1 favourite Cinderella Story . Jigalo , backed from 6/1 to 9/2 in the ring to give jockey Kate McGivern her first winner, was a head away in third, a neck in front of the weakening Princess Tuptin .

(on course reporting by Donal Murphy)

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.