Murphy off the mark in style Kevin Murphy made the breakthrough in fine style when partnering his first winner aboard Diamond Dollar in the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Chase at Punchestown this afternoon. The Charles Byrnes-trained gelding was making his debut over fences, having won over timber at Limerick over Christmas. He was produced to lead approaching the straight in the two-mile-three contest and was sent clear over the last. Murphy could afford to ease up late on as the 5/1 shot recorded a 22-length success. 50/1 shot Just For Yuse plugged on to finish second. Murphy reflects on long-awaited first winner Murphy said afterwards:- “It was unbelievable. The plan was to jump out last and get him settled. He was just going so easy all the way and only made one bit of a mistake at the fifth-last. I grabbed a hold of him then and was patient. They went hard in front, and the race fell apart but he ended up being a very good winner. “I schooled him over fences the other morning. Charles has two fences, and we went over them twice and I couldn’t have been happier. “I have my licence about three years. I’ve had over 100 rides and had about six or seven seconds, so it’s unbelievable to finally get one in front. Byrnes maps out winter plan for Diamond Dollar “I go to Charles two mornings a week and Declan Queally two mornings. I go to Eugene O’Sullivan, and I do a bit for Mick Winters as well. I try and spread myself out and be in as many places as I can.” Charles Byrnes said of the winner:- “He’ll mix and match (hurdles and fences) for the rest of the winter. He definitely needs soft ground.” (Quotes by Alan Magee)
