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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Going Live off mark on racecourse debut

Fri 10th May 2024, 19:15

Going Live, left, rounds the final bend with Step Out, green, and Gone For TeaGoing Live, left, rounds the final bend with Step Out, green, and Gone For Tea
© Photo Healy Racing

Going Live (9/4) ground down Step Out in the closing stages of the Gerry Hannity Memorial Maiden Hurdle over an extended 2m2f in Downpatrick.

The five-year-old son of Doyen, who was a former point-to-point winner, was making his racecourse debut for Gordon Elliott after realising 150,000 guineas at Cheltenham Sales.

Jordan Gainford drove him past the 6/1 runner-up to come in by half a length. There was a 10-length gap back to third-placed Gone For Tea (2/1f).

Assistant trainer Ian Amond said: "It is a good start.

"Jordan said they went a good gallop, so he was happy enough where he was and he always thought he would sort of pick them off coming down the hill.

"It is an ideal start for him, you can ask for no more.

"He will be a chasing type down the line but it is grand to get that done at the first time of asking.

"Jordan said he liked it (ground) there.

"We'll see what Gordon thinks, maybe he'll give him a little break now or he'll keep him on the go."

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.