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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Consort strikes on debut over flights

Thu 17th Aug 2023, 18:53

Born In Purple and Rockview Consort (nearest) jump the last together Born In Purple and Rockview Consort (nearest) jump the last together
© Photo Healy Racing

Rockview Consort made the perfect start to life over flights, as she claimed the Bluegrass Horse Feeds Maiden Hurdle.

Successful on the level when last seen at Dundalk in February, the John McConnell-trained bay was sent off a 5/1 chance this evening, with Ben Harvey in the saddle.

Settled behind the leaders, she improved into a closer second after the fourth. Coming with her challenge two out, the Rockview Stables-owned victor jumped the last in a share of the lead and was ridden to the front on the run-in, coming home half-a-length to the good.

Sent off the 11/10 favourite, Born In Purple had to settle for second after attempting to make all under Paul Townend for Willie Mullins.

Returned at 5/2, Como Park was another nine-lengths away in third, in a race where very few got involved.

"I had done plenty of schooling on her at home. John does a lot of schooling with his horses to make sure they jump well first time out. It was a big ask for her around here first time over hurdles," Harvey commented.

"I think she is a real nice filly, she is a Camelot and has a future over hurdles.

"She is still pretty unexposed on the flat and had a lot of placed form before winning her maiden at Dundalk. She has the option of going back on the flat too."

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.