Joe McGrath aim for improving Ostraka Ostraka had received a form boost in the previous race at Navan and bagged a follow up win in style when landing the Rathkenny Handicap. The Danny Murphy-trained filly had beaten Irish Rumour at the Curragh a fortnight ago and that rival collected 35 minutes beforehand. James Ryan produced Ostraka to lead a furlong from home and the well-backed 15/2 shot (12/1 this morning) soon asserted to record a convincing length-and-three-quarter success over Red Letter Bray. Murphy said: "We bought this animal in February, and Michael Halford who we bought her off will tell you as well, she has a bad back. "This chap from Belgium used to come over to John Oxx 35 years ago and his son is better at it - I tried everybody including chiropractors since we bought her, and that owner has had some patience. It is his first ever horse. "Your man Philippe came in and he yanked her back and looked at me and said in a Belgian accent ' that will either kill her or cure her!' "She was 460kg on that day and today she is 495kg. She is a grand filly. "It is great to get a winner. We are having a disaster of a year and starting to come right now. "The Joe McGrath (in the Curragh) will be the aim for her." (Quotes by Michael Graham)
