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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Kingdom sees off Zafarqand in the last

Sun 14th Jul 2013, 17:59

Kingdom (left) is driven out by Joseph O'Brien to beat Zafarqand (centre) and BensoonKingdom (left) is driven out by Joseph O'Brien to beat Zafarqand (centre) and Bensoon
© Photo Healy Racing

The odds-on favourite Kingdom was given a real scare in the last, the Fairyhouse Sunday Market Handicap, but he pull out more close home to prevail, providing Aidan & Joseph O’Brien with a double on the card.

Sent off 9/10 ‘jolly’, the son of Montjeu made all but the Oliver Brady trained Zafarqand threw down a big challenge in the closing stages, with the winner digging deep to see him off by half a length.

The runner-up was returned at 13/2 (opened at 8/1 on-course) under Connor King while Bensoon was a length and three parts back in third.

Fitted with blinkers for the first time, the successful bay was recording his second success today, following on from his maiden win at the Curragh last October.

He finished second on his first two attempts in handicap company at Leopardstown and Tipperary respectively.

Joseph O’Brien said afterwards: “I wouldn’t say it was comfortable, he is tough more than anything and that’s the way he races, from the front.”

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

1st
9/10Fav
Tote €1.50 €1.02
2nd
0.5L
13/2
€3.90
3rd
1.75L
4/1
4th
1.5L
12/1
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.