Purple Sky toughs it out to win for Bolger and McDonogh Jim Bolger and Declan McDonogh teamed up with Purple Sky to win the Ampion Your Partner In Electrical Testing Handicap at Down Royal. Unplaced in eight previous starts, the four-year-old had shown promise on a couple of occasions last season. However, following a below par return at Navan in April, the daughter of Awtaad was sent off 16/1 for this 10-runner race. Tracking the leader Ozark Daze for the first mile or so, McDonogh closed up to dispute alongside Tartaraghan entering the straight. Having eventually got the better of that latter named filly over 200 yards out, Purple Sky had to be brave in seeing off the late run of Nocturnal by half-a-length. Travelling Head Lad Ger Flynn said: "Declan gave her a fantastic ride, he rode the boss's instructions to a tee. He said he was quite happy where he was. He took a little pull about two (furlongs) down and just sat for a bit, got there, and she's tough. "It is grand to get her there now because she has been showing that at home. Bit lower in the weights and she has a chance and to be fair, she has come in herself, she looked fantastic today. She handled the track and the ground is lovely. "I think she is probably in again next week, but sure onwards and upwards with her now." Additional reporting by Michael Graham.
