Desert puts Moore on a High

Arthur Moore’s association with Duleek owner Tim Murray goes back 40 years, and the pair were again in the winners enclosure after High Desert readily justified 11/10 favouritism in the S.E. Construction & Knockenduff Stud Beginners Chase.

Murray has had a runner with Moore every year for the last 40 years, notably 1982 Arkle Chase hero The Brockshee, and the Co.Kildare trainer was delighted to provide him with this winner.

Moore said, “Tim came to me in October and said he’d had a runner with me every year for the past 40 years but he didn’t have anything for this season. I even trained winners for him under my father’s name before I got a licence.

“I sold him this fellow after he won his maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in November, and I’m delighted as Tim is such a great friend as well as a great supporter.

“This horse is a bit delicate and needs space between his races, so he won’t run now until the middle of February.”

Barry Cash’s mount jumped well and settled the issue quickly after hitting the front two out. He stretched right away on the run-in to beat William Wordsworth (14/1) by 21 lengths. Sweet Sylvia 12/1 in the morning and sent off a 13/2 chance, made most of the running but could find no extra when headed by the winner finishing a further neck back in third.