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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Weld & McDonogh double-up with Bona Fide

Tue 23rd Oct 2018, 16:54

Bona Fide (noseband) leads home Roccia Bella (inside) and Best Not Argue Bona Fide (noseband) leads home Roccia Bella (inside) and Best Not Argue
© Photo Healy Racing

Bona Fide completed a double at Gowran for Dermot Weld and Declan McDonogh, as she took the feature Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap.

After recording a treble at Leopardstown on Saturday, Weld and McDonogh are certainly finishing the season with a flourish, and they were earlier successful with newcomer Tankerville

Successful on debut over the course in June, Bona Fide since finished fifth in a handicap at the Curragh.

Having opened on-course at 13/2 this afternoon, the daughter of Frankel eventually went off an 8/1 chance in the colours of owner Khalid Abdullah (also owns Tankerville).

Settled behind the leaders in third, the chestnut victor cruised through to lead from the two furlong pole.

She was ridden and strongly pressed by Roccia Bella (9s to 13/2 on-course) inside the final furlong, but battled on gamely to prevail by half a length.

Leigh Roche was aboard the runner-up for Michael O'Callaghan, while the 5/2 favourite Best Not Argue finished strongly to take third.

The market leader had to be switched to the outer for room from the furlong pole, but couldn't reel-in the principals, and had to settle for minor honours under Shane Crosse for Joseph O'Brien.

Weld said afterwards: "It's nice to win the feature race with that filly. She battled very well and that's what won it for her. It was a good ride from Declan and she's a brave filly.

"There might be a Listed race for her before the season is out. It is unlikely that she will stay in training next year so I'd like to let her take her chance once at black type level.

"She might have to travel but she might be worth travelling with. She's in a good frame of mind, a very sound filly, and she's tough and genuine."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.