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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Valleyoftheeagles swoops to conquer

Sun 14th May 2023, 14:56

Valleyoftheeagles driven home by Sean FlanaganValleyoftheeagles driven home by Sean Flanagan
© Photo Healy Racing

Valleyoftheeagles rattled home to mug Chiefs Kingdom in Killarney's Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle.

Chiefs Kingdom wore down front-running Ideal De Ciergues just before the final flight and looked set to take the honours on the run-in, but there was a late twist.

Sean Flanagan conjured up a storming finish from Valleyoftheeagles who swooped on the outer close home to score by half a length at 4/1.

Chiefs Kingdom had to settle for the runner-up prize at 7/1 and was a length and three-parts in front of 9/4 favourite Ideal De Ciergues.

Martin Hassett said:“That’s three winners and a third in eight days for a small operation. I’ve just a restricted licence, but I’m on a real high!

“When the penny drops, he’s going to be a right horse. He jumped better the last day, but he got a flier at the last which was the main one.

“He was immature mentally and physically. He had a few good runs on the Flat and, when we put a hurdle in front of him, the penny started to drop. We think an awful lot of him.”

Valleyoftheeagles was fourth on hurdling debut at Kilbeggan last month and that form had been franked.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.