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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Nearly Nama'd bounces back to his best in Listowel feature

Mon 3rd Jun 2019, 16:20

Nearly Nama'd clears the last under Luke DempseyNearly Nama'd clears the last under Luke Dempsey
© Photo Healy Racing

Nearly Nama'd bounced back to his best in the feature at Listowel this afternoon, the John J Galvin Handicap Chase.

The Austin Leahy trained eleven-year-old was last successful in a Grade B contest at Fairyhouse in December of 2017, but did run well to finish third on his penultimate start at Wexford in March.

He since failed to make an impact in the race won by Snugsborough Hall at the Punchestown Festival, and fitted with cheekpieces for the first time this afternoon, he was sent off an 18/1 chance.

Settled in second by Luke Dempsey, the JP McManus owned victor came with his challenge approaching two out and soon led, keeping on well from the last to score by a length and a quarter. Lakemilan who led from the third last, was returned the well-backed 5/4 favourite. She had no answer once head two out, and she ultimately had to settle for second under Kevin Brouder for Terence O'Brien.

Leahy later stated: "The jockey said he enjoyed it so much today, and the odd time he'd miss a fence but didn't today.

"He has won a lot of prize money and is a good old horse when it comes right for him."

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.