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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Boola Boola makes the breakthrough under Crosse

Tue 11th Apr 2023, 18:12

Boola Boola (far side) leads home DalveyBoola Boola (far side) leads home Dalvey
© Photo Healy Racing

Boola Boola made the breakthrough on his 16th career start, as he claimed the View Restaurant At Dundalk Stadium Handicap.

Trained by Jessica Harrington, the Invincible Spirit gelding was second over the course and distance in April of 2021, but was absent throughout 2022.

Campaigned mostly over flights since his return to action, he was sent off an easy-to-back 12/1 (from 7s) chance this evening.

Settled in mid-division by Nathan Crosse, the six-year-old was pushed along and took closer order on the approach to the straight.

Ridden to challenge on the inner over a furlong from home, he got to the front inside the final 150 yards, going on to score by three-parts of a length in the colours of owner Geoffrey Ruddock.

Sent off the 5/1 favourite (from 7s), Dalvey had to settle for second under Joey Sheridan for James McAuley, while Celtic Revival (11/2, drifted early shows of 11/4) came from off the pace to take third, another two-and-a-half lengths behind.

Assistant trainer Kate Harrington said: "He had a good run here the last day, he was a bit rusty out of the stalls that day.

"Up to a mile and a half today suited him really, really well.

"He's back in over a mile and a quarter on Friday because that's a 45-65.

"I was a bit concerned today against the higher quality horses, but he did it really nicely and he is definitely well handicapped.

"Geoffrey will have plenty of fun with him when the ground dries up back over hurdles."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

1st
12/1
Tote €13.00 €2.90
2nd
0.75L
5/1Fav
€2.40
3rd
2.5L
11/2
€1.10
4th
0.75L
10/1
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.