Murphy and Finegan combine for early Kilbeggan double The Ciaran Murphy-trained Convincing (8/1) was an all-out winner of the Kieran Kelly Memorial Handicap for jockey Eoghan Finegan, giving the duo an opening two-race double on the card at Kilbeggan. The pace was frantic throughout, with Syosset and Surviving Murmurs going off early in front, and the race changed complexion when the Cian Collins-trained Blue Reed went to the front. But under a power-packed Finegan ride, Convincing was able to get up on the line and win by a neck. Speaking after the race, jockey Finegan said: “He was a little bit lazy throughout and I was just cautious of it as I wanted to keep him up on the bridle for as long as I could,” said Finegan. “He winged hurdles and was good and tough to the line. I’d say you could even step him up in trip. “He was disappointing, we thought we’d have one won on the Flat before now. Hopefully a hurdle will just bring him to life. “On his first run in a handicap, around here, it was a good performance to be able to do that over two miles. “To be fair to him, every time I asked him for a jump he came for me. Hopefully onwards and upwards.” On his boss Murphy turning 50, he added: “He’ll have a good party tonight anyway!” (Quotes from Gary Carson)
