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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Grade 3 win for smart Girl

Fri 1st Nov 2013, 14:27

Gambling Girl lands awkwardly over the last but recovers well and goes on to score easily under Robbie PowerGambling Girl lands awkwardly over the last but recovers well and goes on to score easily under Robbie Power
© Photo Healy Racing

On just her second start over hurdles Gambling Girl ran out an easy winner of the Grade 3 EBF Lough Construction Mares Novice Hurdle, scoring under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington.

The four-year-old daughter of Hawk Wing won her maiden with ease at Gowran early last month, and she was well-supported to follow-up this afternoon, going from 7/2 to her starting price of 11/4 on-course.

Settled in mid-division, the victorious chestnut took closer order from before the third last, coming with her challenge at the next.

She soon took over in front, and was clear approaching the final flight, and despite making a mistake there she recovered well, going on to score by eight lengths at the line.

The front-running Roja Dove ran a game race to finish second under Eddie O’Connell for Ken Condon at 10/1, while The Cookie Jar kept on well to snatch third, a further two and a quarter lengths back under Jody McGarvey for Colm Murphy at 25/1. Que Pasa was sent off the 9/4 favourite but she could only manage a disappointing fifth under Bryan Cooper for Harry Kelly.

Robbie Power said afterwards: "She could be very good, she could be anything. She would have won with her head in her chest but for the last. She is as good as any mare I’ve ridden."

Jessica Harrington added: "I think she could be special. She made a bad mistake and went away again. She went long at the last and when she recovered, she went away from the second.

"She did a couple of very good pieces of work and she is a big mare so she’ll only improve.

"The owners (River Racing Partnership) bred her so now she has got them blacktype."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

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.