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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Cliffs back to his best in the Mooresbridge

Mon 7th May 2018, 16:22

Cliffs Of Moher powers home under Ryan Moore, with the grey Success Days on his insideCliffs Of Moher powers home under Ryan Moore, with the grey Success Days on his inside
© Photo Healy Racing

Cliffs Of Moher came from last to first to land the feature at Naas this afternoon, the Group 2 Coolmore Camelot EBF Mooresbridge Stakes, providing Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore with a treble on the card.

Second in the Epsom Derby last year, the striking bay colt hadn't won since Chester last May, and was fifth of five to Capri on his comeback over the course and distance last month.

Sent off the 13/8 favourite this afternoon, the son of Galileo was settled in rear, as Success Days set a blistering pace.

The winner still had plenty to do in sixth as they entered the straight, however he gradually closed on the leaders from the three furlong pole, and was pushed to the front inside the final 100 yards, keeping on well from there to score by a length and three parts.

The front-running Success Days (8/1) just held on for second under Shane Foley for Ken Condon, with Yucatan a head back in third.

O’Brien, who was on the mark earlier with Fairyland and Van Beethoven said: "He relaxed lovely and came home well. He has an option of either the Coronation Cup or the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He's a good horse and was just beaten in an Epsom Derby."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards enquired into possible interference in the closing stages involving Cliffs Of Moher, ridden by R.L. Moore, placed first and Mustajeer (GB), ridden by C.T. Keane, placed fourth, where it appeared Cliffs Of Moher momentarily rolled inwards causing Mustajeer to check. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges placings and took no further action.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.