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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Merisi Diamond shines in Curragh again

Mon 18th Mar 2024, 17:43

Merisi Diamond moves clear for Ronan WhelanMerisi Diamond moves clear for Ronan Whelan
© Photo Healy Racing

Merisi Diamond is clearly a horse to keep on the right side of as he put in a power-packed display in the concluding Cavalor Equine Nutrition Handicap at the Curragh.

He was last seen winning a seven furlong handicap at this track in October for Joanna Morgan and resumed over six today for Martin Brassil.

The well backed 5/2 favourite charged into contention for Ronan Whelan outside the final furlong and, once he grabbed the lead flashing past that marker, the race was over.

He shot clear in the final 100 yards to run away with the race by four and three-quarter lengths. Runner-up Dark Viper didn't go unbacked at 18/1 and was half a length in front of Master Garvey (12/1). Each-way backers drew a return from 12-year-old Downforce in fourth at 9/1.

Brassil said: “He handles the ground. He’s a fine, big, strong horse who is a five-year-old now and after maturing.

“Ronan said he felt a stronger horse than he rode last October.

“Hopefully we’ll get him out again if there is an opportunity there and we’ll see what the handicapper says.

"I’d prefer to be coming back to a long, straight track like this as he’s such a big horse.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
2/1Fav
Tote €3.00 €1.10
2nd
4.75L
18/1
€4.20
3rd
0.5L
12/1
€3.30
4th
0.5L
9/1
€2.50
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.