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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Morgan completes double for Elliott

Sun 16th Oct 2016, 17:49

Morgan comes home in front under Luke McGuinnessMorgan comes home in front under Luke McGuinness
© Photo Healy Racing

Morgan got the better of the odds-on favourite Bargy Lady in the last at Cork, the Paddy Power Cork Grand National November 6th (Pro/Am) Flat Race.

Earlier successful with Blood Crazed Tiger Morgan was providing his trainer Gordon Elliott, and owners Gigginstown House Stud with a double on the card.

Having unseated on his debut in a point-to-point at Lismore in March, the son of Big Bad Bob then ran a cracker to finish third in the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Sales Bumper at Fairyhouse.

Sent off the second favourite today at 2/1, he was settled in mid-division by Luke McGuinness as Dorans River attempted to make all.

He took closer order down the back straight, and with three furlongs to race he was poised to challenge in third.

The bay victor came through to lead from two furlongs out, and was soon ridden, keeping on well from there to score by two and a quarter lengths.

Bargy Lady, who was sent off the 9/10 favourite (having touched 5/4 on-course), was ridden from two furlongs out, but she couldn't reel in the winner, and had to settle for second under Patrick Mullins for his father Willie.

The front two went ten lengths clear of Dorans River who was third under Declan Queally for Tom Hogan at 11/2.

Gordon Elliott said afterwards: "He's a grand horse but is still raw and he might stay in bumpers this year.

"He's a nice horse but he's only a baby and I'll chat with the lads and he could go wait to go hurdling next season."

The winner is a half-brother to ten time winner The Game Changer, and Johns Spirit who won the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham in 2013.

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.