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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Grogan on the mark with Katla's half-sister

Mon 18th Jun 2018, 18:33

Rapid Reaction and Andrew Slattery lead home Aspen Belle and Killian LeonardRapid Reaction and Andrew Slattery lead home Aspen Belle and Killian Leonard
© Photo Healy Racing

Rapid Reaction made all to take the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap, scoring under Andrew Slattery for owner, trainer, breeder John Grogan.

Grogan last hit the headlines with three time Listed winner Katla, and this daughter of Shamardal is in fact a half-sister to that smart sprinter.

Second and fourth on her first two starts in handicap company, the chestnut filly was ninth of twenty-eight on her most recent start at the Curragh.

Available at 14/1 in early shows, she came in for plenty of market support, opening on-course at 11/2, touching 9/2, before going off a 5/1 chance.

Carrying just seven stone eleven with Slattery taking seven pounds off, she was sent straight to the front, keeping on well under pressure inside the final furlong to see off the 9/4 favourite Aspen Belle by a length.

Killian Leonard was aboard the runner-up for Pat Martin, while Snow Patch (15/2 to 13/2 on-course) completed the places another two lengths back in third.

Grogan, who last tasted victory with Katla back in October 2012, said afterwards: "It's great to get a win on her card for breeding, that's what it's really all about.

"I'd say she handled the good ground well. We were just hoping that she'd run well.

"We'll run her again in a handicap. We'd love to get a bit of black-type - whether she's good enough or not we don't know.

"That was a good handicap and the handicapper will probably give her plenty for it.

"She's a Shamardal mare for breeding and it's great to get that win on the card."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson