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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Fiuntach off the mark in Wexford

Sat 7th May 2016, 14:35

Fiuntach, left, goes on from Evening HushFiuntach, left, goes on from Evening Hush
© Photo Healy Racing

Fiuntach (9/4) stayed on stoutly to deliver for Kevin Manning in the opening fillies' maiden over an extended mile and one at Wexford.

Jim Bolger 's Intense Focus filly was driven along in third turning into the home straight a furlong and a half out.

At the furlong pole Evening Hush came to tackle Multiviz as Fiuntach began to pick up and close the gap on the front two.

She soon got on terms and edged ahead with 150 yards to race. She kept on well for Manning to shed her maiden tag by a neck from Evening Hush (7/4f) who was always held by the winner (in the first-time blinkers). Arya Tara (8/1) was the big eye-catcher in third. She came from well off the pace in fourth to finish very strongly in the last 100 yards to close to within a neck of the runner-up.

Travelling head lad Ger Flynn said: "Kevin said she travelled on and off the bridle so he didn't know if the blinkers made a difference or not.

“He said she stayed really well and will get further. The horses have been running well but just hitting the crossbar a bit."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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.