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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Fleming and Heskin at double with Marakoush

Sat 14th Nov 2015, 16:16

Marakoush clears the last flight in PunchestownMarakoush clears the last flight in Punchestown
© Photo Healy Racing

Marakoush (7/2) did it from the front and had plenty in the tank at the business end as he took the two and a half mile maiden hurdle for Barry Connell, Alan Fleming and Adrian Heskin.

This gave the trio a double on the card which was initiated by Tully East in the novice handicap hurdle.

Markoush raced well clear throughout and only Road To Respect (9/2) could make any inroads into his lead.

Marakoush looked to be tiring approaching the last as Road To Respect kept closing but once he jumped that hurdle he strode away to put 12 lengths on the runner-up. Cape City Boy completed the placings in third at 16/1.

Alan Fleming said: "He's lovely - really nice. He improved a lot from Naas.

"He was quite keen and we'll probably have to work on that. He enjoyed the trip and the ground.

"We'll have to get him to settle a bit better the next day. That looked a very good maiden hurdle and he's after doing it well." Beau Mome the 8/11 favourite, never got into contention in finishing 10th.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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.