Confrontational continues Murphy's winning spell

Trainer John Murphy recorded four winners in October, including a success in the Irish Cesarewitch, and today bagged his first for November when Confrontational landed the DKIT Students Union Handicap at Dundalk this evening.

Ridden by Shane Foley, the son of Footstepsinthesand today gained his first success since winning a maiden at Down Royal in June 2016 and beat runner-up Descendant by half a length.

Trainer Murphy's horses have won nine races in the past three months, headlined by Brazos' win in the Irish Cesarewitch last month and following today's race, George Murphy, son and assistant, stated “he’d a good run in Laytown last time and has dropped to a more favourable mark.

“I’d imagine he’ll keep going here through the winter as he loves the surface and enjoys it up here.

“Shane gave him a good ride as he raced a bit lazy turning out of the back straight but did it well in the end.

“We had a quiet time through the mid-summer as there was a bit of sickness through the yard but at the end of the year we’ve had a good time. We’d a few winners here last week, and will try and keep it going if we can.

“We’ve a couple of nice two-year-olds still to run here this year. They were a bit backward and didn’t get out on grass. They should give some of the maidens here a rattle.”

Quotes from Alan Magee