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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Major provides Flanagan with a double

Fri 14th Jul 2017, 19:54

Major Destination and Sean Flanagan pictured on their way to victoryMajor Destination and Sean Flanagan pictured on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing

After winning the opener on Abraham Sean Flanagan doubled his tally aboard Major Destination in the mallowprint.com Maiden Hurdle.

Successful in a bumper at Wexford in May, the son of Dubai Destination then finished a disappointing seventh on his hurling debut at Punchestown.

He was pulled up early on his most recent start at Downpatrick, and it was later reported that he 'lost his legs after landing over the first hurdle.'

Stepped up to three miles for the first time today, the Patricia Hunt owned gelding was backed from 7/2 in to 11/4 favouritism on-course.

Settled behind the leaders by Flanagan, he took closer order from four out, and hit the front before the next.

He was soon tackled by Boston Spray but kept on best under pressure on the run-in, going on to score by a length and a half.

Boston Spray was returned at 4/1 under JJ Slevin for Joseph O'Brien, while Optimised (11/2) was eleven lengths back in third for Gordon Elliott and Bryan Cooper.

Flanagan said afterwards: "He has done it well in the end but had a look at last flight but kept on going well.

"He has had his ups and downs but we came here hoping everything would fall into place and it did. He'll improve for it I'd say."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

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.