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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Finnegan eases to victory in the bumper

Mon 22nd Apr 2013, 20:43

Barry O'Neill looks under his arm for dangers as Young Finnegan comes home an easy winner of the bumperBarry O'Neill looks under his arm for dangers as Young Finnegan comes home an easy winner of the bumper
© Photo Healy Racing

After seeing his other runners finish second, third and fourth earlier on the card, Robert Tyner was a most deserving winning trainer of the bumper, as Young Finnegan eased to victory under Barry 'Bon' O'Neill.

The seven-year-old son of Portrait Gallery was beaten in three point-to-points back in 2011 and only made his return to action at Fairyhouse last month, finishing a decent fifth behind Juan De Garcia in a maiden hurdle.

Running in a bumper for the first time this evening he was backed on track from 12/1 into 8's.

The bay gelding made all and he stretched clear approaching the straight, going on to win easily by twelve lengths. The Pounds finished second for Tom & Pat Foley at 8/1 while Velvet Rose (14/1) was a further five lengths back in third for Christy Donoghue and James Carroll. Aerlite Supreme was sent off the 2/1 favourite Michael Hourigan and Robbie McNamara and after travelling well turning for home he quickly folded tamely and finished an eased down ninth.

Robert Tyner said afterwards: "He is a massive, fine looking horse. He ran away with his jockey at Fairyhouse last time out and he blew up as it was his first time running in a while.

"In his point-to-point’s he stopped when he got to the front and he was looking around at everything. He has no problem when he gets to the front now.

"He was very impressive and he will probably run in a hurdle now if he gets his ground."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

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.