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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

The Mooch makes all in first time blinkers

Fri 16th Oct 2015, 17:55

The Mooch (left) just leads Sister Annie (centre) and Old Castletown over the lastThe Mooch (left) just leads Sister Annie (centre) and Old Castletown over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

The Mooch made all to win the Byerley Turk, Godolphin Arabian And Darley Arabian Handicap Chase under Donagh Meyler for Paul Nolan.

Wearing blinkers for the first time the seven-year-old son of Bach was sent straight to the front.

Sent off a 5/2 chance he was pressed and joined at the second last by Sister Annie and Old Castletown

He regained the lead after the last and kept on well under pressure on the run-in to score by half a length.

The 13/8 favourite Old Castletown stayed on well up the hill but he couldn't reel in the winner and had to settle for second under Ruby Walsh for his father Ted.

Sister Annie was a further four lengths back in third under Sean Flanagan for John Cullen.

Paul Nolan said afterwards: "He could go to Wexford for a 0-116. He loves that ground."

Owner Roger English (accompanied by his cousin and co-owner Tipperary hurling great Nicky English) added: "He's very game and is a good, tough horse. He's very consistent. The blinkers were on to keep him straight."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

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.