Murphy fires in another big-priced winner

Paved With Gold (25/1) was an appropriately named victor of the Christmas Party Nights At Dundalk Stadium Handicap as trainer John Murphy came up with another fancy priced winner.

Carraigin Aonair (23rd October, 33/1), Appointment Only (14th October, 25/1), Burning Brightly (28th October, 25/1, with Colin Keane up as well), Song Of The Sky (19th October, 13/2) and Grande Waltz (October 8th, 33/1) had already made it an autumn to remember for those rowing in behind the County Cork trainer.

Here, on Paved With Gold's first outing for 186 days, Colin Keane's mount was delivered from off the pace to lead in the last fifty yards. He had the upper hand on Cosmic Symbol by half a length at the finish.

"He's a lovely horse but ran shocking a few times on soft ground and we gave him a break," explained Murphy.

"Like a lot of my horses in September and October he was coughing but has been working well recently. It's nice to get that win and he could come back here."

The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of U S Navy Seal (USA), ridden by J.A. Heffernan, and trained by J.R.Finn.

Evidence was heard from the trainer and rider concerned. J.R. Finn, stated that he had taken charge of this animal about nine weeks ago as his connections in the U.K had lost hope with him.

He added that the animal had lost his form in the U.K and was noted to have a high head carriage and to have back trouble.

Consequently he was not hard on him at home and he had not worked him since his arrival at his premises.

He informed the Stewards that this animal is treated on a weekly basis by a Chiropractor and may need a couple of days at ease after treatment.

He advised that he had been easy on the animal and felt that he probably needed tonight's run.

J.A. Heffernan, stated that he was familiar with this animal as he had been trained in Ireland in his earlier days.

He added that in his opinion that the trip was too short for him but he rode him on the inside berth and was niggling him into the straight.

He thought that the horse had issues and showed a negative attitude when attempting to load into stalls.

He informed the Stewards that this animal had previous issues when in training and the best way forward was to under train him and not to bully him in a race.

In his opinion he has run a very good and encouraging race and he was satisfied that he had ridden to the best of his ability and no better placing could have been achieved under any different tactic.

The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer who stated that U S Navy Seal (USA) was post race normal.

Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards noted the explanations and took no further action.

(AM & EM)