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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Bang, bang, bang from The Trigger

Thu 23rd Jul 2020, 20:18

Ronan McNally and Sean Flanagan celebrate the hat-trickRonan McNally and Sean Flanagan celebrate the hat-trick
© Photo Healy Racing

The Trigger completed a hat-trick of wins as he took the second divide of the Newcastle West Handicap Hurdle.

The Ronan McNally trained eleven-year-old had been placed three times in the early part of this year before getting his head in front over fences at Tipperary on July 1st.

He since followed-up over flights at Kilbeggan last week and was expected to prevail again this evening, going to post the 85/40 favourite.

Settled in mid-division by Sean Flanagan, he was hampered by a loose horse at the second, but recovered quickly.

He made headway to take closer order from four out and was pushed along to lead approaching the last, keeping on well from there to score by eight lengths.

Reserve Mick Mixy (28/1) ran a fine race to take second under amateur Thomas Geoghegan for Paul Flynn, while Spanish Leather (16/1) was another eight lengths back in third. Scotsman's Bay unseated at the second last when still in contention.

The Trigger is owned and trained by Ronan McNally from his Co. Armagh base.

About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.