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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Al Mohalhal shows Birdcatcher speed

Sun 18th Oct 2015, 15:31

Al Mohalhal hits top gear in NaasAl Mohalhal hits top gear in Naas
© Photo Healy Racing

Al Mohalhal clearly relished the uphill finish in Naas as he stormed to victory in the six furlong 'Birdcatcher' nursery.

The Acclamation colt broke well to seize the initiative. He had Fantastic Secret on his inside for company but Al Mohalhal was going much the better inside halfway.

He was ridden at the two pole by Kevin Manning and picked up well. With a furlong to race, he had seen off all his rivals with the exception of Snowy Scene who was a length and a half behind.

Al Mohalhal wasn't for stopping though and thundered home to score by a length and three parts at 9/2. Snowy Scene (7/1) picked up a runner-up prize. Fantastic Secret was three and a half lengths away in third at 25/1.

Jim Bolger said: "I was going to stick to maidens and then said I'll take a chance. There is a nursery at Leopardstown next week over seven furlongs, and we'll see how he is."

This win gave Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning a double on the card as Tribal Beat took the opener for them.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.