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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Ellen Kelly has 21-lengths to spare in Killarney finale

Fri 19th Jul 2024, 18:02

Ellen Kelly returns to the parade ring after winning the last Ellen Kelly returns to the parade ring after winning the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Ellen Kelly blitzed her rivals as she made all in the concluding Christy Lucey Transport Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race.

Beaten into second on debut at Downpatrick in May, the Willie Mullins-trained bay since made the breakthrough at Sligo and was sent off a 2/1 chance in her bid to follow-up this evening.

Allowed to dictate things from flag fall under Patrick Mullins, the Westerner five-year-old soon raced in a clear lead and extended her advantage inside the final two-furlongs, eventually coming home 21-lengths to the good.

Returned at 40/1, Amboyna filled the runner-up spot under John Gleeson for John and Thomas Kiely, while 66/1 chance Light Her Up was another two-and-three-quarters of a length back in third.

Sent to the post the 4/6 favourite, Punchestown winner Savante ran no sort of race and trailed home in eleventh.

"Kudos to Jack Cantillon and John Bourke who bought her for €13,000 and she is improving with every run," the winning rider said of the Syndicates Racing-owned victor.

"She surprised me how well she picked up. I got a fright when I realised how far clear we were as I was expecting Colm Murphy's mare (Savante) to come and catch us, but she has obviously run below par. We'll go for a blacktype bumper somewhere."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards reviewed an incident shortly after turning into the straight involving Fillusin ridden by Miss H.M. Smullen, and Savante, ridden by Mr J.P. O'Rourke, where it appeared Savante ran short of room on the inner. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the matter, the Raceday Stewards were satisfied that no further action was warranted.

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Savante, trained by C.A.Murphy, at the request of the Raceday Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

1st
2/1
Tote €3.00 €1.10
2nd
21L
40/1
€7.70
3rd
2.75L
66/1
€10.20
4th
1.75L
66/1
bf
3.25L
4/6Fav
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.