Sales-bound Intifadah delights Griffin team Intifadah could have been backed at as big as 66/1 earlier for the Frank Gillane Memorial Maiden Hurdle at Tramore. He certainly didn't go un-supported for the second event at the Graun Hill venue. Those that were 'on' were rewarded when Paddy Griffin's charge came home victorious under Jonathan Burke. Griffin and Burke recently teamed up for a good winner at Kilbeggan with Heist, and here Intifadah (25/1) reeled in Russellstown (had an awkward landing two out and not great at the last) to score by three lengths. Intifadah himself had to overcome a slight mistake at the last, whilst favourite Antiphony was three parts of a length back in third. Intifadah is owned by Paddy Griffin's son James and he said: "Michael O'Callaghan previously had him. Colm White advised me to buy him so we did. "The plan was summer hurdles. He was very unlucky in Galway, he got done at the start and there was no race after that. His run at Uttoxeter was a novice and he was only beaten thirty lengths by winners. "If you ignored his Galway run you would give him a chance, and Dad, who doesn't spend Christmas even backed him! We fancied him today and we backed him at decent prices. "He is going to go to the sales now, probably the Doncaster Sales in September. He is my first winner as an owner and he was handy money." The Stewards requested a report from Patrick Griffin, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Intifadah, placed first, as compared with its recent form. The trainer's representative, James Griffin, stated that this horse was tried in cheek pieces for the first time today and in an ordinary contest it probably accounted for the apparent improvement. Having considered the report the Stewards noted the explanation offered. (DM & EM)
