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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Jon Ess records first turf success

Sun 7th Apr 2019, 17:36

Jon Ess (left) is ridden out by Tom Madden to beat Cork Harbour (red and white)Jon Ess (left) is ridden out by Tom Madden to beat Cork Harbour (red and white)
© Photo Healy Racing

The Conor O'Dwyer trained Jon Ess recorded his first turf success, as he took the Corkracecourse.ie Apprentice Handicap.

A three time winner on the all-weather at Dundalk, the son of Dragon Pulse was last seen finishing eighth over hurdles behind subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Klassical Dream.

The five-year-old gelding was sent off a 4/1 chance today under Tom Madden in the colours of the Brinkleys Syndicate.

In front early on, the chestnut victor was eventually settled behind the leaders on the inner.

He was pushed along to challenge from the two furlong pole and was soon ridden to the front, keeping on well in the closing stages to score by a length and a quarter. Cork Harbour ran a fine race to take second under Andrew Slattery for Ken Condon at 16/1, while Latchet (11/4f) and Athenry Boy (20/1) were third and fourth respectively.

Madden said afterwards: "He was rated a lot lower on grass than the all-weather but had been running well on the grass over hurdles recently. Conor placed him well today and he is a very straightforward horse and was in my hands the whole way today."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

1st
4/1
Tote €4.40 €2.00
2nd
1.25L
16/1
€4.40
3rd
3.75L
11/4Fav
€1.02
4th
nose
20/1
€4.90
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.