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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Linehan records first winner aboard Aussie

Mon 20th Apr 2015, 19:43

Denis Linehan after recording his first winner aboard Aussie GuestDenis Linehan after recording his first winner aboard Aussie Guest
© Photo Healy Racing

Denis Linehan recorded his first racecourse success on just his third ride as he partnered Aussie Guest to an all the win in the Follow Us On Twitter Apprentice Handicap.

The Eugene O'Sullivan trained six-year-old won a handicap over the course in August but he was disappointing on his last few runs of 2014.

Making his seasonal reappearance here he was sent off at 8/1.

Drawn on the rail in one he broke well and soon led. He was ridden under two furlongs out and he kept on well under pressure to score by a length and three parts. Prince Jock (16/1) ran well to finish second for Keith and Albert Moriarty while Water Sprite (6/1) completed the placings a further length and three parts back in third.

The 2/1 favourite Danequest finished a disappointing sixth while the well-backed Fainleog (from 8/1 this morning to a starting price of 10/3) was fifth.

Eugene O'Sullivan said afterwards: "He won here over 1m 5f but I thought the trip might be a bit short today. He'll go to Limerick next Saturday for another handicap over 1m4f.

"I'm delighted to have given Denis his first winner as I'm best friends with his father John. Denis and his brother Eddie have been riding out with me since they were kids.

"Denis is 16 and is in fifth year at Kanturk secondary school and when he's not riding out with me, spends his holidays riding out with Johnny Murtagh."

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.