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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Empress rules under Roche

Mon 17th Aug 2015, 18:10

Empress Toorah is eased down close home by Leigh RocheEmpress Toorah is eased down close home by Leigh Roche
© Photo Healy Racing

Empress Toorah followed up on her win at Cork earlier in the month as she ran out a comfortable victor of the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon Handicap.

The Sabrina Harty trained four-year-old disappointed on her seasonal debut at Haydock in May, finishing a good fourth at Fairyhouse in June before winning at Cork.

Successful at Roscommon last season the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor was sent off a 13/2 chance in colours of Margaret Nevin.

Having broke smartly she lead briefly in the early stages before settling behind the leaders in third.

She travelled well in second early in the straight and went to the front under two furlongs out.

She was given a few reminders from the furlong pole and kept up the gallop before being eased down close home by her rider Leigh Roche.

The well-backed Strait Of Zanzibar (20's into 9's on-course) was a length and a quarter back in second under Billy Lee for Ken Condon while Roachdale House (8/1) was another half a length away in third under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

Recent Curragh winner Captain Cullen was sent off the 11/2 favourite but he could only manage eighth under Ian Queally for Joseph Murray.

Sabrina Harty said afterwards: "She's versatile ground wise and coming back to seven suited her.

"She's much stronger and bigger than last year and has really developed. She loves racing, she's really professional and wants to get on with it.

"She breaks like a greyhound, travels away and stays going. Leigh is confident she'll get some black-type and that's the aim with her.

"She was a great buy as she was only E1,500 as a foal. She's a tough filly who seems to be improving and should pick up some black-type."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
13/2
Tote €8.30 €2.50
2nd
1.25L
9/1
€3.00
3rd
0.5L
8/1
€3.40
4th
nk
16/1
bf
nk
11/2Fav
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.