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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Basilah Bear forges home for McAteer

Thu 14th Sep 2023, 16:49

Basilah Bear, green and black, sees them offBasilah Bear, green and black, sees them off
© Photo Healy Racing

David Marnane had to settle for second in the featured Goffs Sportsman's Challenge at Naas, but he did saddle a winner through Basilah Bear in the GAIN The Advantage Series Nursery Handicap.

The 3/1 favourite made headway entering the straight and picked up the lead under Luke McAteer over a quarter of a mile from home.

She was ridden with more than a furlong to travel and looked to have plenty on her plate as Tiscommonknowledge threw down her challenge inside the final furlong, however, the 'jolly' found plenty in the final 100 yards.

She took the honours by a length and a-quarter from the 20/1 runner-up. Tatum came home nicely for third at 13/2.

"She deserved that, she bumped into a handicap blip in Killarney,” said Marnane.

“I think she's going to be a good filly, she probably has more gears than we're giving her credit for.

“I'd say she'll enjoy a bit better ground. She'll come back for the fillies' handicap at Leopardstown late next month and then we'll put her away after that.

“She was well bought, Amy bought her and she only cost €14,000.

“It's a bit of compensation for the other race. She found plenty and she's very genuine.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
3/1Fav
Tote €4.00 €2.10
2nd
1.25L
20/1
€9.70
3rd
hd
13/2
€2.40
4th
0.75L
8/1
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.