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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Elder statesman Mahrajaan shows the way

Tue 15th Jul 2014, 20:41

Mahrajaan soars over the last in KillarneyMahrajaan soars over the last in Killarney
© Photo Healy Racing

Veteran Mahrajaan rolled back the years with a victory in the Grade C Bourn Vincent Memorial Handicap Chase at Killarney.

The 11-year-old was winning for the first time since September 2011. The 7/1 shot beat 9/2 co favourite Nearly Nama'd by a length with Boxer Beat (5/1) two and three quarter lengths away in third.

Despite making a bad mistake at the fourth last when in fourth place, he came through to challenge for the lead after the second last and kept on well to score by a length

Trainer Charles Byrnes said: "A fantastic prize to win at this time of his life. He's an awful lot of it done. He ran very well here a few years ago for another trainer [Robbie Burns]. Flat tracks suit him well.

"He was 3lbs lower than when he ran at Punchestown (on the 17th May). He ran well at Leopardstown, but it was too soft. We won't go to Galway as he needs a flat track."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

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.