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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Famous making a name for himself

Thu 2nd Nov 2023, 14:06

Dundaniel (right) blunders at the last, with Name Me Famous (yellow and green) going on to scoreDundaniel (right) blunders at the last, with Name Me Famous (yellow and green) going on to score
© Photo Healy Racing

Bought for just E2,500 as a three-year-old, Name Me Famous registered a fourth career success in the Littleton Handicap Chase, taking advantage of a last fence error from race favourite Dundaniel

A dual winner over flights last year and successful on his penultimate start at Clonmel, the Eoin McCarthy-trained seven-year-old fell when last seen at Wexford in June.

Sent off an easy-to-back 12/1 chance (6s early), the Famous Name chestnut was never too far from the pace under Daniel King and was ridden to challenge between rivals from early in the straight.

Second at the last, he soon got to the front and battled on gamely when ridden, coming home half-a-length to the good for owner Denis Enright.

Returned the 16/5 favourite, Dundaniel led and looked the most likely winner approaching the last, however he blundered there and ultimately had to settle for second under Jack Kennedy for his brother Michael.

There was another three-and-a-half lengths back to Game And Glory (18/1), while the well-backed McGrath From Clune (4/1 from 20s early) was fourth.

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"He had been frustrating as we couldn't get him right after he last won," McCarthy revealed.

"He seems to be back on an even keel and is jumping well, having lost his confidence. He is a lovely tough honest horse and is a stable pet.

"We've been lucky enough with these cheap stores and this is job done. He's a summer horse and I'd say the ground is a lot better than they're describing it so we'll see where we go from here."

STEWARDS REPORTS

The Raceday Stewards informed John Joseph Hanlon, trainer of Sefton Warrior (GB), that a repeat performance from his charge, who refused to line up, may render the animal liable to suspension in the future

S. Ewing, rider of Go Battle trained by Philip M. Byrne, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount never travelled.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

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.