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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

The Priests Leap passes Clonmel test

Tue 9th Mar 2021, 15:02

The Priests Leap in cruise controlThe Priests Leap in cruise control
© Photo Healy Racing

The Priests Leap didn't have a single worry in opening his account at 2/7 in the first division of the opening maiden hurdle at Clonmel.

Donagh Meyler sent the favourite into the lead from the off and the pair dictated their way through this two-mile trip.

The seven-year-old gelding jumped well and led by three lengths at the halfway stage.

The other jockeys began exerting their arms on their mounts on the approach to the second last as The Priests Leap bounded along at the front.

He moved clear jumping that flight and sauntered home by 11 lengths. Ben Thomson could make no impression in second at 10/1. He was a head in front of Made In Killarney (40/1).

A plunge on Champagne Rodeo (22/1 - 13/2) went astray as he trailed home in 13th place.

Trainer Arthur Moore said: "He did it the way you'd expect him to do it. He is a decent horse but hasn't helped himself; he is grand at home but when he gets to the track he becomes wired up. Today he was fine and his few races have taken the fizziness out of him and he'll be good from now on.

"We'll go back chasing now; he doesn't want really deep ground and is a super jumper.

"It's nice to get the hurdle win out of the way and it's also the first winner for Danny (Durkan, through Dargle Equine Limited)."

The Priests Leap was placed in three maiden hurdles before today.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

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.