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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Emily bows out on a high

Mon 28th Mar 2016, 18:22

Emily Gray clears the last with Uranna in secondEmily Gray clears the last with Uranna in second
© Photo Healy Racing

The Kim Bailey trained Emily Gray ended her racing career on a high as she took the Grade 3 John & Chich Fowler Memorial EBF Mares Chase.

Now set for stud the eight-year-old daughter of Flemensfirth was sent off the even money favourite.

Sent straight to the front she was joined at the fifth and dropped to fourth with six fences to jump.

As they turned into the straight she came with her challenge on the outer, hitting the front after three out.

She was challenged by Uranna on the approach to the last but she pulled out more on the run-in, going on to score by a length and a quarter.

The runner-up was returned at 9/4 under Ruby Walsh (his third second of the day) for Willie Mullins, while Perfect Promise was nine and a half lengths back in third.

David Bass was due to ride Emily Gray but his flight was cancelled due to Storm Katie.

Jonathan Burke was the one who benefited and he said afterwards: "I have to thank Timmy Hyde and Charlie Swan for getting me the ride.

"They got me on the phone to Kim (Bailey) and David Bass and they gave me instructions.

"It's hard luck on David but I'm very grateful to get the ride.

"I took a pull as I felt I'd be flat out trying to keep up with them and six out was a bit far out to get racing and they were all trying to ride to beat me.

"She's a fair mare and when I took the pull she jumped well in behind them and kept me bang there.

"I gave her a belt turning in and she took off. She's very tough and jumps great which is what you want."

Kim Bailey, who was recording his first winner in Ireland, missed the occasion due to his Aer Lingus flight being delayed.

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.