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Eagle flies in to land Clonmel feature under Donaghue-Leahy

Not Just Any Eagle and Robyn Donaghue LeahyNot Just Any Eagle and Robyn Donaghue Leahy
© Healy Racing Photos

Narrowly denied in the corresponding race last year, Not Just Any Eagle went one better when taking the featured Jerry McDonnell Memorial Tipperary Perpetual Cup Handicap at Clonmel.

Sent off 5/1 under Robyn Donaghue-Leahy, the Pat Flynn trained seven-year-old made every yard of the running to earn a hard fought success.

Strongly pressed by both Highwind and Lady Plimsoll over a furlong out, the Free Eagle gelding pulled clear up the hill to win by four lengths.

Pat Flynn said: "I fancied him today but some of my horses were under a cloud and there were some with temperatures. I was worried but he was going particularly well. If it was two weeks ago, I'd have said he was a total certainty but this story is the same with a lot of yards this summer.

"He is a very nice horse and we might go up into a big handicap now.

"I've won this Tipperary Cup maybe seven or eight times, it could even be nine."

(Quotes by Thomas Weekes).

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.