Dante Anna in her previous victory at Gowran Park© Photo Healy Racing
Dante Anna (11/1) took trainer Dusty Sheehy off the cold list with victory in the three mile handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan.
Amateur jockey Conor Murphy moved his mount into the lead five from home and the pair were able to stay on dourly and fend off Whiskey And Red (6/1) by nine lengths.
The 7/2 favourite Knockanarrigan made no impression and was some 41 lengths off the runner-up in third.
This was Murphy’s second career victory, with the first also coming on Dante Anna in a Gowran Park maiden hurdle in December.
A relieved Dusty Sheehy, having his first winner for 1139 days, said: “That was badly needed. She blew up at Wexford. I didn’t have her that long and she needed the run.
“She needs plenty of work. I even gave her a blow out this morning. The ground suited and they went a good gallop.
“We may try her over fences and she should be able to win a little handicap. The blinkers are only on for concentration. I wouldn’t call her ungenuine.
“I have only eight or nine horses in. It’s tough going out there.”
Jockey Conor Murphy’s dad Laurence Murphy owns the mare. Conor Commented: “She’s good little mare over fences.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
