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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Whisky's sister gains precious win

Thu 22nd Mar 2012, 17:41

Taraval (Brian Cawley) leads Mallowney over the last Taraval (Brian Cawley) leads Mallowney over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

The well-bred Taraval gained a valuable winning bracket at the tenth attempt when staying on well under Brian Cawley to land the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

The half-sister by Milan to crack hurdler Oscar Whisky kept on gamely on the run-in to reward those who made her the 2/1 favourite, beating Mallowney (7/2) by half a length. Lastofthepilots well-backed from 13/2 down to 9/2, held every chance in the straight but could find no extra under pressure from before the last finishing a further seven and a half lengths back in third.

Winning trainer Charlie Swan said, “She’s a nice tough mare and she stays very well. She’s a half-sister to Oscar Whisky and already has some black type.

“She will probably be put in foal to Flemensfirth now. Hopefully she can win a chase before she retires to the paddock.”

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.