My Murphy and Robbie Power jump ahead of Mala Beach and Davy Russell (nearside)© Photo Healy Racing
Second in the Goffs Thyestes a year ago, My Murphy went a place better as Robbie Power added to his recent big race gains with Henry Higgins, to land the 2016 renewal of the Gowran Park highlight on Liam Burke's 16/1 shot.
My Murphy had to yield by eight lengths to the brilliant Djakadam in the fog twelve months back, but again here off an identical rating of 139 he was never far away.
Many would have envisaged 5/1 favourite Mala Beach (pecked two out) as being nigh on impossible to hold if they'd imagined him to be there going as well as he was in the straight.
However to My Murphy's credit, he stayed on dourly when strongly pressed by the 'jolly' and a length and a quarter split them at the line.
The wide-travelling Ucello Conti made a mistake three out and he was one-paced after, eventually finishing five and a half lengths off the front pair in third. That made it a two, three for handler Gordon Elliott. The Job Is Right made a bad mistake when in second place and got rid of Mark Enright here in 2015. On this occasion he filled the fourth spot, four lengths back.
Following on from Preists Leap and Whinstone Boy in the past ten years, this was another popular Cork success in the prestigious south-eastern highlight and Burke said, "I very nearly didn't run him as he ran a stinker the last day and he only came right in the last couple of days. But to be honest it was all down to the ride Robbie gave him.
"He has to be up with the pace and he didn't let him lose his position and it was a super ride. He had a heavy fall at Navan in the past and now doesn't travel among horses.
"He had been knocking on the door but got no run the last day. He missed the break from a standing start, the same as (Leopardstown Chase winner) Empire Of Dirt and his race was over at the first.
"The handicapper dropped him a pound which helped but when he got under the third last, I thought 'here we go again!'
"He's not fast enough for Cheltenham and will probably run next in the Bobbyjo Chase and then try the Irish National again.
"I've won the Galway Plate and Irish Arkle but this is the one that has pleased me most as it was the one race as a young fella that you'd love to win. We used to listen to it on the radio at school and I remember horses like The Godfather winning it."
He added, "his owner Hans Joerg Zindel is Liechtenstein based but has a property in Lismore and is in South America at the moment for five weeks."
Power stated: "I wasn't keen on going for the Paddy Power but Liam said he had no options and that he needed to get another run into him before coming here.
"Thirty runners at Leopardstown doesn't suit him. The tougher it is, the harder work it is the more he loves it.
"Because we weren't going so quick because of the ground today he got to travel.
"Once horses didn't crowd him I was happy. When he gets his own way he keeps plugging away and Ruby let a roar (on Ballycasey coming down the hill that he was beat so from there I just kept squeezing away.
"When Davy came to him (Russell on Mala Beach) in fairness he picked up.
"He was long at the last and he was brave to come.
"When we landed at the second last Davy's horse stumbled a little bit and once I got that length on him he was going to have to be very good to get by me.
"It's been a fantastic week, a fantastic year, long may it keep going."
Paddy Power go 50/1 first show about My Murphy for the Grand National.
The Stewards requested a report from W.J. Burke, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of My Murphy, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer reported that his charge shied away from the tape and was unable to get a good position at the start on his last run at Leopardstown. He added that the horse did not enjoy being crowded thereafter. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanations offered.
The Stewards interviewed A.E. Lynch, rider, in relation to his riding in the latter stages of this race, where the horse refused the last fence. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned who stated that his mount may have become distracted and taken his eye off the final fence. He added that he was confident at the time that the horse still had sufficient energy left to finish the race and that he would have pulled up had he been in any doubt. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
The Stewards received a report from Mr. P.W.Murtagh , Turf Club Clerk of the Scales, regarding the fact that C.D. Timmons , rider of Nickname Exit (FR) , weighed in at 2.9 lbs overweight. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having considered the evidence, the Stewards were satisfied that the rider was in breach of Rule 231 and they therefore suspended him for one race day.
(TW & EM)
