18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Marnane eyes Galway for Koybig

Tue 16th Jul 2019, 19:22

Koybig wins under Donagh O'ConnorKoybig wins under Donagh O'Connor
© Photo Healy Racing

A loosening of the handicapper's grip saw Koybig bring up his sixth career success in the International Hotel Handicap at Killarney.

The seven-year-old gelding had dropped to a mark of 71 and Donagh O'Connor took a further 3lbs off. He had been as high as 83 last August.

O'Connor angled him out to come with a run in the final quarter of a mile.

The 8/1 shot picked up well and led narrowly over a furlong out. He was soon ridden and fended off Minnie Haha (5/1) by a neck. Angels completed the placings in third, a length and a quarter away.

Trainer David Marnane said: "We got him last year and Denis McGettigan wanted a couple of horses for friends of his and we had him in Dundalk last year, but I didn't think he was on the top of his game.

"He has had a break this year and has come back very well and had a good run at Limerick the last day (when third).

"There are a couple of options at Galway and while he hasn't run there, he'd suit Galway and looks like he'd come out of the dip well."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

1st
8/1
Tote €12.00 €2.50
2nd
nk
5/1
€1.80
3rd
1.25L
11/2
€1.80
4th
nk
6/1
bf
1.75L
4/1Fav
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.