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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Gotthenod & Torrens spring 40/1 surprise

Sat 29th Aug 2020, 15:42

Gotthenod leads home her rivals under Simon TorrensGotthenod leads home her rivals under Simon Torrens
© Photo Healy Racing

Gotthenod bounced back to form as she sprang a 40/1 surprise in the Live Streaming On The Boylesports App Handicap Hurdle.

Trained by Dot Love, the six-year-old daughter of Famous Name won a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in May of last year but ran no sort of race on her return to action at Ballinrobe in July.

Settled behind the leaders under Simon Torrens, the chestnut victor improved to the front with a circuit to race.

Ridden and joined entering the straight, she battled gamely and pulled out more to regain the lead from the last, keeping on well from there to score by two and a half lengths. Rebel Waltz (13/2 into 7/2 joint-favouritism) kept on nicely to take second, just a short head in front of Dave And Bernie (5/1), who looked the likely winner entering the straight, in third. Sweet Sting was the other joint-favourite but she faded in the straight and eventually finished ninth.

Assistant trainer Ciaran Murphy said afterwards: "We couldn't understand what happened her the last day at Ballinrobe. We just couldn’t get to the bottom of it.

"She loves soft ground and has plenty of guts. She has schooled well over fences and that's where her future lies. She'll go over them in the winter but she’ll probably go for another handicap hurdle now."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Sweet Sting, trained by Michael J. Bowe, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

B. Hayes, rider of Sweet Sting trained by Michael J. Bowe, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount ran too keen.

The Stewards requested a report from Mrs D. A. Love, trainer, as to the apparent improvement in form of Gotthenod, placed first, as compared with its recent form. Mrs. D. A. Love stated that she was not able to account for her charge's disappointing run at Ballinrobe last time out but she felt that the slower ground today coupled with the steady early pace of todays race had allowed her charge to get into the race easier and build in confidence. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation given.

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.