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Progressive Samurai puts his rivals to the sword

Black Samurai clears the last under Sean O'KeeffeBlack Samurai clears the last under Sean O'Keeffe
© Photo Healy Racing

The second divide of the Support The Irish Injured Jockeys Fund Handicap Chase went the way of Black Samurai as he comfortably followed-up on his recent Limerick win.

Successful in a point-to-point at Lingstown in March of last year, the Sean Aherne trained seven-year-old had been disappointing up until that Limerick victory.

Sent off at 9/2 this afternoon, the son of Black Sam Bellamy was settled behind the leaders by Sean O’Keeffe, taking closer order from five out.

He improved to lead approaching the third last and was pushed clear after the next, going on to register a seven-and-a-half length success. Emir De Rots (5/1) finished second under Jordan Gainford for Paul Nolan, while Hollybank King (16/1) was another two-and-three-parts of a length back in third. Lessofdnegativity was sent off the 4/1 favourite and he was still in with every chance when falling three out.

Aherne said in the aftermath: "He seems to be improving. His owner (Eoin Barry) is a good man and is based in Boston.

"He got a fall in Thurles earlier in the year and it didn't help him. It took a long time for him to come someway right. All the horses at home seem to have come into form lately.

"He has little wind issues and the better ground is a big help to him. We will see how is in the morning before making any further plans.”

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.