18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Friary follows up on Listowel success

Wed 16th Oct 2024, 18:07

Friary Road leads home his rivals under Josh WilliamsonFriary Road leads home his rivals under Josh Williamson
© Photo Healy Racing

While the third choice of punters for the seven runner BetVictor INH Flat Race, Friary Road ultimately proved too good for the market principals.

Owned and bred by Helen Walsh and trained by her husband Ted, the son of Finsceal Fior was returned at 6/1 after winning on his second start at Listowel last month.

Settled behind the leaders by Josh Williamson and brought to the outer to challenge early in the straight, the bay victor was ridden over a furlong from home and swept to the front inside the final 200 yards, keeping on well from there to score by three lengths.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Whinney Hill (15/8) finished second on his racecourse debut under Harry Swan, while Ballinrobe winner Jerry From Kerry (4/5f) could only manage a disappointing third, a further three lengths back.

"He's a good rider and won't be claiming 7lb for too long. He's bred to be good and his father won (the Triumph Hurdle) on Commanche Court in '97. He wasn't even born then!" Walsh reflected.

"He's a grand, tough little horse. He's won two bumpers now and is better than maybe I thought he was. He picked up well there.

"There is a winners bumper in Navan and he could go there.

"He won't go jumping as he's a handy, light horse. He might make a nice Flat horse next year."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.