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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Definite Soldier resolute in Wexford

Sun 30th Oct 2016, 16:12

Definite Soldier, yellow, toughs it out in WexfordDefinite Soldier, yellow, toughs it out in Wexford
© Photo Healy Racing

Pat Coffey's Definite Soldier gamely fended off the closers in the Casey Precast Handicap Chase at Wexford.

Andrew Ring had him to the fore from flagfall but he looked vulnerable to Abolitionist on his outer and King's Wharf on his inner, racing to the last.

However, Definite Soldier knuckled down and battled his way to the line as the pursuers failed to reel him in.

He landed a bit of a touch at 11/2 from a morning price of 14/1. Abolitionist was beaten half a length into second at 14/1. King's Wharf (7/2jf) was the same distance away in third.

Andrew Ring said: "He ran in Punchestown the last (day) over three one and he didn't really get home. The drop back to two and a half suited down to the ground. He had no weight on his back. I had a plan in my head and it worked - just to bounce out, steal a few here and there and thankfully he obliged today.

"He had plenty left, I kicked on after the third last because he does stay but he doesn't get three one. He's kind of an in between horse. He travels great and is a good lepper for a small horse. Job done today."

John Kinsella said: "He is owned by my family and I work for Pat (Coffey) in Nenagh. He has 27 point-to-pointers and had a winner today in Meath so it's been a good day all round.

"He is owned by uncles Oliver and Ger Mythen and my mother Majella. We were hopeful today. He had been running well the whole time with a lot of weight on his back but he was in off a feather weight today.

"He is a good ground horse and he will more than likely get a break now."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.