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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Witty appreciates the step up in trip

Thu 11th Jun 2015, 20:51

Witty Repartee is driven out by Chris HayesWitty Repartee is driven out by Chris Hayes
© Photo Healy Racing

Placed on four of her previous seven starts Witty Repartee got a deserved win to her name as she took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap under Chris Hayes for Andy Oliver and owner Francis Campbell.

Third to Beat The Ballot over the course last Friday she was sent off the 2/1 favourite this evening on her first try over a mile and a quarter.

Settled in second she hit the front two furlongs out and was soon ridden. She kept on well inside the final furlong and went on to score by a length and a quarter. Annagh Haven finished second under Leigh Roche for Michael Mulvany at 5/1 while the 9/4 second favourite Tsundoku could only manage a disappointing fourth.

Andy Oliver said afterwards: "She did it well. She probably hadn't really gotten her conditions up until now.

"She was a late starter last year and at home I probably misjudged her pace. She ran over seven and we stepped up tonight.

"She likes nice ground and Leopardstown do a great job. They produced a lovely kind surface.

"She saw out the trip well and got a good ride from Chris. We'll see where we go now. It's great for the owner who is a great enthusiast of the game."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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.