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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Mindsmadeup rewards decision to run

Fri 31st Jul 2020, 20:21

Mindsmadeup, noseband, chases Mr Diablo, rightMindsmadeup, noseband, chases Mr Diablo, right
© Photo Healy Racing

Mindsmadeup (11/2) made the best way home to seal the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase in the hands of Robbie Power.

The nine-year-old gelding jumped left two out in his pursuit of Mr Diablo and nodded on landing. Power soon got him back on an even keel and he jumped the final fence much better.

Mr Diablo was sent for home by Rachael Blackmore but he began to tire on the home bend.

He was there to be shot at and Mindsmadeup was ridden to get to him in the final 100 yards of this staying test.

Mindsmadeup kept on well to prevail by two and a quarter lengths. Mr Diablo clung on to second at 40/1 by three parts of a length to Cusp Of Carablli (11/1) who came from a long way back.

Trainer Matthew Smith said: "We were in two minds to run him this morning and two of the owners Shay Gillen and Tom McGrady decided to let him take his chance.

"This race was the plan last year but unfortunately he was lame the day before the race, so we had to pull him out and it was the target again.

"The intention was to hopefully win and get him up a few pounds and he'll go for the Kerry National now.

"It was lovely to get and Robbie gave him some ride in fairness to him."

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

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.