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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Like An Open Book comes home strongly

Tue 8th May 2018, 19:18

Like An Open Book, near side, gets to Minnie DahillLike An Open Book, near side, gets to Minnie Dahill
© Photo Healy Racing

Like An Open Book s stamina came to the fore as she ground down Minnie Dahill in the mile and a half fillies' maiden in Roscommon.

John Burke 's charge has two handicap hurdles and a bumper success in her locker and punters were keen on her chances as they made her the 7/4 favourite.

Minnie Dahill (7/2) was ridden to go and win her race with a furlong to travel but was hunted down by Like An Open Book.

She picked off Minnie Dahill in the final 100 yards and held her by a neck at the finish. Strange Notions completed the placings in third at 7/1.

The trainer's father Paddy said: "It's great for the breeding to win a Flat race with her.

“Hopefully we can get black-type over hurdles, that's the next job now. We thought we might get black-type in Punchestown but the ground went against her.

“There is not a lot there for her. There is the Grimes Hurdle in Tipperary but that will be very hot. After that you have to wait for Listowel.

“The mother was absolutely useless to jump a fence so we won't be asking her to do that — it's great to have her jumping hurdles!

“If the weather that's forecast comes in we'll probably give her a break. We'll probably look for a handicap hurdle next but if a Flat race comes up we'll take it.”

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.