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Advantage Dettori as Mogwli wins first leg of Barney Curley Charity Cup

Mogwli and Wesley Joyce pictured on their way to victoryMogwli and Wesley Joyce pictured on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing

Team Frankie Dettori came out on top in the Barney Curley Charity Cup Handicap, with Mogwli and Wesley Joyce claiming this extended seven-furlong heat.

On his 60th start, the Willie McCreery-trained six-year-old came in for plenty of market support and was sent off an 8/1 chance (14s early) in the colours of McCreery's wife Amanda.

A bit slow into stride and in rear early on, the grey gelding made gradual progress on the outer from the three furlong pole.

Ridden to the front inside the final 200 yards, he kept on well in difficult conditions, coming home three-and-a-half lengths to the good.

Seeking a quick double, Robert Whearty had to settle for second aboard Rampage (7/2jf), while Sunday Sovereign (7/1) was another three-lengths away in third.

The other joint-favourite was Celebrating Ethel and she finished a disappointing seventh.

Prior to the race, team captain Frankie Dettori said: "I can't believe the boys are still doing it, I take my hat off to them and the staff and the guys taking the horses (around) and the horses themselves. It is a good effort.

"We raised money at golf yesterday and today we are racing. This day in the calendar is set in stone."

Fellow team captain Willie Mullins added: "We are going to win - look at the weather, this is jumping weather!

"We are delighted that we raised so much money over the last two days and today is going to cap it with a Willie Mullins victory!"

Things didn't go according to plan for Mullins in the opening leg of this two-race challenge, with jockeys representing team Dettori occupying the first and second, accumulating 30 points.

"It is tough out there, I knew he would stay going," Joyce said in the aftermath.

"Thanks to Frankie for picking me."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

1st
8/1
Tote €9.20 €2.80
2nd
3.5L
7/2JFav
€1.40
3rd
3L
7/1
€2.90
4th
0.5L
11/2
bf
7L
7/2JFav
About Donal Murphy
Donal graduated from Maynooth University in 2010 with a BBS in Equine Business and since attained a diploma in Sports Journalism from Dublin Business School. He holds a variety of roles in the horse racing industry, reporting for the Press Association and p2p.ie, while also working for SIS and the Tote. From Wexford, he is a keen runner and has completed over 100 parkruns at various locations around the country.