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- Ardagh Red justifies favouritism under Burns
Donal Murphy
Ardagh Red justifies favouritism under Burns
Ardagh Red (right) is ridden out by Nicola Burns to beat Inns Of Fear
© Photo Healy Racing
A good second on debut last month, Ardagh Red went a place better in the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Maiden, providing Nicola Burns with a fifth career success.
Well-supported late on from 5/2 into 5/4, the Adrian Murray-trained market leader made virtually all.
Joined early in the straight, the Tony McLoughlin-owned chestnut regained an outright advantage when pushed along over a furlong from home, keeping on well when ridden in the closing stages and coming home a length to the good.
The second choice of punters at 10/3, Inns Of Fear filled the runner-up spot under Shane Foley for Mark Fahey, while debutant Artic Power (8/1 from 14s early) was another length and a half away in third.
"He had a lovely first run and we thought the step up a furlong would be ideal," Murray commented.
"He'll get further. Nicola was just saying there that probably next year he will get a mile and a-quarter.
"It is her first ride for me and she would be very friendly with the owner, Tony McLoughlin. She's an up-and-coming rider and she is going to be a good jockey.
"That will be him until early in the year - if there was a Listed race or something like that coming up maybe here in January or February.
"The filly (his Queens Fury) that beat him the first day is a good filly."
STEWARDS REPORTS
N.M. Crosse, rider of Beaune trained by Eamonn O'Connell, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount stood in the gates.
C.D. Hayes, rider of Glinka trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount was slowly away.
Additional reporting by Michael Graham