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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

The Dara Man another for Fitzgerald

Tue 20th Jul 2021, 16:41

The Dara Man lands in the lead on the run-in The Dara Man lands in the lead on the run-in
© Photo Healy Racing

The Dara Man progressed from a runner-up spot on jumping debut at Listowel to win the maiden hurdle for six-year-olds plus in Ballinrobe.

Shane Fitzgerald 's mount cut right into Maricruz s clear lead upon negotiating the second last. He was still travelling well but was soon in a pocket on the rail as Apple Crumble got first run around the outer.

The Dara Man was switched out from behind a weakening Maricruz to go after Apple Crumble and he joined the leader at the last.

A good jump at it saw him land in the lead and he powered clear in the final furlong to win by five and a half lengths, to the cheers of favourite backers who took the 7/4 (from 9/4). Runner-up Apple Crumble's SP was 10/3 and was 10 lengths in front of Aboutagout (9/4).

Trainer John Ryan said: "He is a smashing horse and did the talking on the track. He will go for a novice hurdle now and I'll probably keep him for Listowel. You can't send them all to Galway!

"I have a lot of good horses at the moment, a bundle of real proper ones. I couldn't believe his price this morning, I thought he would be 1/2!"

In-form Fitzgerald was fresh off a treble at Tipperary on Sunday.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

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.