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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Imadpour makes the breakthrough on third start

Wed 7th Sep 2022, 18:43

Imadpour is ridden out by Ronan WhelanImadpour is ridden out by Ronan Whelan
© Photo Healy Racing

Imadpour made the breakthrough on his third start, as he justified plenty of market support in the Coolmore Stud Gleneagles Irish EBF Maiden.

Fifth and fourth on his first two outings, the Mick Halford trained colt was available at 6/1 in early shows, before the defection of likely favourite King Of Scotia eventually going off the market leader at 7/4.

Settled behind the leaders by Ronan Whelan, the Le Harve colt travelled strongly from the two furlong pole and was pushed along to lead with just over a furlong to race.

Ridden in the closing stages, he kept on well in the colours of the Aga Khan, coming home a length-and-three-quarters to the good.

Newcomer Dark Side finished second under Shane Crosse for Joseph O'Brien at 7/1, while Jim Bolger's Long Count (50/1) was a short head back in third.

"He did that well and on his two Curragh runs we thought he'd be bang there. The favourite coming out obviously made things a bit easier," said Whelan.

"He enjoyed the ground and in fairness to Niall McCullagh he thought he would definitely be worth a go on it.

"I probably got there a little bit soon and he's idled a bit, he was probably value for a little bit more. He's a colt that will only improve with time as well.

"Obviously on the day that's in it it's all very secondary and my thoughts are with the de Bromhead family. Mr Halford's kids are very friendly with them so he'll be thinking of all of them."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
7/4Fav
Tote €2.75 €1.10
2nd
1.75L
7/1
€1.90
3rd
shd
50/1
€14.00
4th
shd
16/1
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.