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- Kuramathi springs surprise in opener at Tipp
Donal Murphy
Kuramathi springs surprise in opener at Tipp
Kuramathi & Billy Lee (nearest) come to nab Dr Doro & Wayne Lordan
© Photo Healy Racing
Newcomer Kuramathi sprang a 12/1 (was 20's this morning) surprise in the opener at Tipperary, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, scoring under Billy Lee for Andy Slattery.
The son of Paco Boy was settled towards the rear before being switched to the outer to challenge from over a furlong out.
He got going inside the final furlong, just getting up to win by a short head. Dr Doro was the one he denied and that fellow was returned a 7/1 chance (from 9's) under Wayne Lordan for Tommy Stack. Foxen and Jealous Beauty were sent off the 13/8 joint-favourites but they could only manage fourth and sixth respectively.
Andy Slattery said afterwards: "He did a good bit of work last Sunday morning but I thought he was a gallop away (from running) and I normally prefer to get a gallop against the older horses with them.
"It wasn't the best maiden but all he can do is win and I think he'll improve. He'll go for the Nursery over six furlongs at the Curragh next on Oaks weekend.
"He is owned by Lynne MacLennan and Eimear O'Brien who also have horses in England and France."
The winner is out of Style Award who won five times in the UK for Bill Ratcliffe while he cost just 3,500 guineas as a foal.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes