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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

O'Brien doubles-up with 'above average' Albuquerque

Tue 23rd Oct 2018, 14:45

Albuquerque (left) stays on best to beat Empire State and Georgeville Albuquerque (left) stays on best to beat Empire State and Georgeville
© Photo Healy Racing

After the success of Chablis in the opener, Aidan O'Brien quickly doubled-up with Albuquerque in the Join The Gowran Park Racing Club Today Maiden.

A full-brother to three time Group 1 winner Rip Van Winkle, the bay colt finished down the field on debut at Leopardstown in May.

Having opened on-course at 9/1, he came in for plenty of market support, and went off a 6/1 chance under Seamie Heffernan.

Settled in third on the inner, he squeezed through to challenge front-running stable mate Empire State from the furlong pole, getting to the front inside the final 100 yards, before going on to score by a neck.

Empire State proved friendless with punters, and having opened on-course at 7/4, he eventually went off the 3/1 market leader under Donnacha O'Brien.

Newcomer Georgeville (9/2) ran a fine race to take third, another three parts of a length back under Declan McDonogh for Dermot Weld.

Heffernan said afterwards: "He's a brother to Rip Van Winkle. He had a nice run the first day and I liked him today. It was tight enough but I always had enough room.

"He's above average."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
6/1
Tote €12.10 €3.80
2nd
nk
3/1Fav
€1.30
3rd
0.75L
9/2
€2.40
4th
2.25L
13/2