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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Xsquared completes a hat-trick

Fri 1st Jul 2016, 20:18

Xsquared pictured in action at Limerick last monthXsquared pictured in action at Limerick last month
© Photo Healy Racing

After winning on the level at Fairyhouse on Wednesday, Xsquared followed-up in the feature at Wexford this evening, the Vinegar Hill Chase.

The Peter Fahey trained son of Exceed And Excel was completing a hat-trick of wins today, having also won over fences at Limerick in early June.

Settled in rear by Kevin Sexton, he was closer in fourth three out, and was pushed along to challenge on the approach to the next.

He sprinted to the front before the last, and kept on well on the run-in to score by three and a quarter lengths. Gambling Girl who was sent off the 9/10 favourite, had to settle for second under Robbie Power for Jessica Harrington, while the front-running Pumbaa was two and a quarter lengths back in third.

Peter Fahey said afterwards: "That was great, it was a good performance by the horse.

"I must thank everyone at home, Gavin Lawlor especially as he does everything with him. He is a pleasure at the races but a nightmare at home, he is very tricky and very hard to ride out, but Gavin does a fair job with him.

"He had a busy week so he will probably get a little bit of an easy time now.

"His owners (the Adders Syndicate) came to me this year, and I'm delighted now, you couldn't ask for any better than that.

"He will definitely mix it. He got nine pounds for winning on the flat the other day but I still think there is another one in him although he is now just out of the 65's. He has a high enough mark over hurdles."

1st
3/1
Tote €4.20 €1.50
2nd
3.25L
9/10Fav
€1.02
3rd
2.25L
8/1
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.