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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Slygufftou gets a deserved win to his name

Fri 24th Jul 2015, 19:54

Slygufftou jumps a hurdle on his way to victory under Jack KennedySlygufftou jumps a hurdle on his way to victory under Jack Kennedy
© Photo Healy Racing

Slygufftou justified favouritism in the Selskar Abbey Handicap Hurdle as he ran out an easy winner in first time cheekpieces.

Third on his last three starts the Michael McCullagh trained gelding was sent off the 2/1 favourite.

Settled in mid-division he took closer order from the fourth last and disputed the lead after the next.

He hit the front approaching the straight and was ridden out from there, coming home ten lengths to the good under Jack Kennedy. Udo's Choice (8/1) kept on to take second under David Mullins for Philip Rothwell while Cadawill (10/1) was two and a quarter lengths back in third under Paul Townend for Rodger Sweeney.

Michael McCullagh was emotional after the win as his son Niall was involved in an accident on the gallops this morning.

He said: "We had bad news this morning.

"Niall was injured on the gallops at Frank Dunne's morning. He was riding a horse and it wouldn't stop.

"He is above in Blanchardstown Hospital with a collapsed lung and broken ribs."

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.