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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Voler beaten by outsider Whatuthink

Sun 11th Nov 2012, 14:18

Whatuthink flies over a hurdle on his way to victory under Tom DoyleWhatuthink flies over a hurdle on his way to victory under Tom Doyle
© Photo Healy Racing

Whatuthink produced an excellent front running display to take the Grade 2, Lismullen Hurdle beating the 1/7 favourite Voler La Vedette into second.

Trained by Oliver McKiernan and ridden by Tom Doyle, the 10yo son of Presenting was sent off at 25/1 for his fifteen start of 2012.

The now eight time winner made all the running and was ridden after the third last.

He made a slight mistake two out and his advantage was reduced by the long odds-on favourite.

However he kept on well under pressure from before the last and Voler La Vedette couldn’t peg him back as he went on to score by four and a half lengths at the line.

Voler La Vedette had to settle for second on her seasonal reappearance under Andrew Lynch for Colm Murphy while Prima Vista was a further fifteen lengths back in third under Paul Carberry for Noel Meade.

Oliver McKiernan said afterwards: "He has always had ability. We decided to go back over hurdles with him.

"It was a great performance by him but maybe fitness over the others was the key. He was tipping away all summer while the others were just starting out.

"He loves that ground and he kept going. He will go to Leopardstown now at Christmas and he might run before then.

"The plan was to make plenty of use of him and if they were good enough to go by him so be it."

Voler La Vedette remains unchanged at 10/1 with both Sean Graham's & Boylesports for the World Hurdle at Cheltenham in March.

She was found to be post-race normal. Jockey Andrew Lynch said she ran flat and never travelled.

(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.