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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Green Sky runs down The First And Last

Mon 26th Jun 2023, 18:16

Green Sky, near side, obliges for Dylan Browne McMonagle Green Sky, near side, obliges for Dylan Browne McMonagle
© Photo Healy Racing

Joseph O'Brien's Green Sky claimed The First And Last close home in the extended nine furlong three-year-old maiden at Balinrobe.

She was scrubbed along in third behind a duelling The First And Last and Report approaching the straight, however, once she straightened for home she really found her stride inside the final furlong.

Report cracked in third with 150 yards to travel as Green Sky threw down the gauntlet to The First And Last. She edged ahead of that rival with less than 100 yards to go and kept on well to see it out by half a length from the 6/4 favourite. The winner was punted from 4/1 to 11/4.

Winning jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle said: "She had a rough enough run around the first day and she’s after sharpening up plenty. It’s hard to make up ground around Gowran and I thought she did well to finish up where she did after running so green.

“She was straightforward today, travelled everywhere and was always the winner. I was just a bit worried about the last bend to get around it in a rhythm.

“She stayed galloping and will get a bit further no doubt. Hopefully she can keep improving.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.