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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Douglas shows a likeable attitude

Thu 11th Jun 2015, 18:59

Port Douglas is driven out by Joseph O'BrienPort Douglas is driven out by Joseph O'Brien
© Photo Healy Racing

Port Douglas made it two from two for favourite backers at Leopardstown as he took the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden under Joseph O'Brien for his father Aidan.

Settled behind the leaders in third the victorious son of Galileo took closer order as they approached the straight and he was soon ridden.

He got to the front over a furlong out and kept on well under pressure to score by three and a quarter lengths. Fisherman's Blues (4/1 from 6's), who was attempted to make all, finished second under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons while Sunglider (5/1) was a further five lengths back in third under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

The winner was returned the 4/5 favourite having opened at 11/8 with Paddy Power last night.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "You'd have to be delighted with him and he's a nice horse.

"I'm delighted with that first time out. He's German-bred and there is plenty of stamina in the pedigree.

"He won't mind stepping up and will learn plenty. His last furlong was good.

"He could go for something like the Chesham but that might be a bit quick and Deauville might go for that.

"We'll probably step up in a stakes race in a week or two."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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.