Coeur collects deserved victory

Mon Coeur gained a deserved success in the McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap at Galway when swooping inside the final furlong to score under Gary Carroll.

The Joe Murphy-trained gelding had been second over two miles at the course on Wednesday, which brought his sequence of runner-up efforts to four.

He made no mistake this afternoon when getting to the front in the final 150 yards and recording a length-and-a-half success in the 50-80 contest, run over just shy of a mile-and-a-half.

"We didn't know how he'd handle coming back just three days after his last run but he got a massage on Wednesday night and we had him out in the paddock since. He was due to go up 10lb but we had to roll the dice,” said Murphy.

"Gary said going further would suit him better."

“It is great to get that win, he is a progressive horse but has had two sinus operations and the clinic in Fethard were very good. With those sinus operations you have to give them a lot of time to clear up.

"He had his little problems but has got over them and hopefully can come back here next year.

“This is a wonderful occasion to have another winner in Galway and is great for Tom (Egan) and all the boys."

(Quotes by Tom Weekes)