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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

Swallow swoops to open account under rules

Thu 24th Mar 2016, 14:49

Follow The Swallow (near side) and Sean FlanaganFollow The Swallow (near side) and Sean Flanagan
© Photo Healy Racing

Follow The Swallow justified some support at fancy prices to land the opening Templemore Beginners Chase under Sean Flanagan at Thurles.

The Liz Doyle-trained gelding was available at 50/1 this morning and backed on track from 33/1 into 16/1 for this 2m2f event.

The Templenacarriga point-to-point winner had taken on the likes of Douvan and Irish Grand National contender Bonny Kate earlier this season and was reappearing after a four-month break.

The son of Dr Massini travelled well to challenge two out and got on top on the run-in to beat Macs Legend himself the subject of some support into 7/1 (from 10/1) and not helped by a mistake at the last, by three quarters of a length.

The odds-on favourite Chatam House Rule made most of the running but could find no extra from before the last to finish a further three lengths back in third.

Ms Doyle said, "The ground is a huge thing for him and he was wrong the last day he ran when he ran terrible.

"His jumping was worth 10 lengths to him and, while he ran in a heap of point to points, he doesn't stay three miles. We might look for a handicap next."

(TW & AM)

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.