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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Nickajack continues on upward curve

Thu 6th Aug 2020, 15:39

Nickajack Cave and Gary Carroll lead home Fresnel and Ronan WhelanNickajack Cave and Gary Carroll lead home Fresnel and Ronan Whelan
© Photo Healy Racing

Nickajack Cave continued his progression through the ranks, as he claimed the Group 3 Bahrain International Ballyroan Stakes.

A surprise winner of the Saval Beg in June, the Ger Lyons trained grey was sent off a 15/8 chance this afternoon, with Pondus returned the 11/10 market leader.

Settled behind the leaders on the inner by Gary Carroll, the son of Kendargent was ridden to challenge the front-running Fresnel with a furlong and a half left to race.

He soon edged to the front inside the final furlong and kept on well for pressure in the closing stages, going on to prevail by half a length.

The aforementioned Fresnel (22/1) ran a fine race in second under Ronan Whelan for Jack Davison, while Pondus could only manage a disappointing fourth.

Shane Lyons said afterwards: "He's improving all the time. He's in the Irish St Leger and that will be his ultimate goal.

"We were a little bit worried about the ground beforehand and Gary said he just doesn't want extremes. He would appreciate a bit more juice but got away with that no problem.

"That wasn't a quick race and he's after showing a bit of class with that turn of foot. He's after stepping back a bit in trip from the last day and will improve for the extra trip."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
15/8
Tote €2.70 €1.20
2nd
0.5L
22/1
€6.40
3rd
0.75L
9/2
4th
0.5L
11/10Fav
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.