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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Desert Friend pips Mayo For Sam in Ballinrobe

Mon 24th Jun 2024, 20:22

Desert Friend, right, wins a battle with Mayo For SamDesert Friend, right, wins a battle with Mayo For Sam
© Photo Healy Racing

There was some roar when Mayo For Sam hit the front inside the final quarter of a mile of the GAIN The Advantage Series Handicap in Ballinrobe, but she couldn't repel Desert Friend s strong finish.

Mayo For Sam came under the whip a furlong from home as Desert Friend was ridden to challenge her. The pair were locked together in the closing stages and it was Desert Friend who thrust best for the line to score by a head at 11/2 from the game runner-up who went off 9/2 joint favourite. Status Green (13/2) completed the placings in third, a further four-and-a-quarter-lengths back.

Ben Coen said: "Gary Carroll rode him the last day at Navan and told me he was a very straightforward ride. I knew it was getting a bit tight two and a-half (furlongs) down but, to be fair to the horse, he took me through the gaps well.

"I got to the leader's girth fairly comfortably, but that probably spurred that horse on and she kept finding a bit, but I'd say my lad was probably value for the winning margin because he didn't kill himself when he got there. Hopefully there's another day in him."

The winner prevailed for Denise Foster and the Magnificent Eight Syndicate.

Additional reporting by Mark Nunan

1st
11/2
Tote €6.50 €1.90
2nd
hd
9/2JFav
€2.00
3rd
4.25L
13/2
€2.10
4th
2.25L
6/1
bf
3.25L
9/2JFav
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.