Murphy & O'Connor combine with River

The Willie Murphy trained Burren River landed the spoils in what was an incident packed Earl Of Harrington Memorial Maiden Hunters Chase.

Ridden by Derek O’Connor, the lightly raced seven-year-old son of Amilynx was sent off the 9/2 second favourite, having opened at 5/1 on-course.

He won a point-to-point on his debut at Lingstown in November of 2012, before finishing a close-up third on his next start at Ballyragget.

He returned to Wexford to win on his third start at Monksgrage back in March, and he was making his racecourse debut today. Lord Heathfield attempted to make all under Gerry Mangan and he was still in front approaching the second last, but he crashed out there leaving Burren River in the lead.

He was ridden out from there, and he kept on well after the last to score by three and a half lengths. Walden took second at 7/1 under William Thompson for Ian Ferguson at 7/1, while Cork Citizen (12/1) was a further length and three parts back in third for the father and daughter team of Eugene and Maxine O’Sullivan. Winter Magic was sent off the well-backed 7/2 favourite (opened at 5/1), under Jamie Codd for Jimmy Mangan, and he was still in with a shout when he was brought down two out by Lord Heathfield.

Winning owner Michael Lyons, who also bred the winner, is from Claremorris in Co Mayo.

Just eight of the sixteen runners managed to complete the two mile six furlong course.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes