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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

O'Sullivan on the mark again aboard Calico

Mon 17th Apr 2023, 16:56

Calico beating Heather BearCalico beating Heather Bear
© Photo Healy Racing

Michael O’Sullivan continued his red-hot winning streak when successful aboard the odds-on Calico in the opening Newtown Maiden Hurdle at Tramore.

The talented 5lb claimer made it eight winners in just over a week when keeping things simple aboard the Gordon Elliott-trained 4/5 favourite who was ending a frustrating sequence of placed efforts.

Calico and chief market rival Heather Bear had the race between them throughout and stretched right away from their rivals on the final circuit.

The Spanish Moon filly proved the stronger from the last to score by half-a-length, with a yawning gap of 33 lengths back to Montys Rock in third.

O’Sullivan said, “She deserved to get her head in front, she has been knocking on the door a long time. The track suited her. Slattery's mare (Heather Bear) was the one to beat and she was alongside me the whole way.

“In fairness to her she went around the bends very well and I didn't pick up my stick, it was just hands and heels to the line and she seemed to be better for it. It's great for the lads, she deserved it.

"She has always ran well, she was always coming there with her chance and jumping but she had just failed to get her head in front before today."

Quotes by Donal Murphy

1st
4/5Fav
Tote €2.00 €1.02
2nd
0.5L
2/1
€1.10
3rd
33L
25/1
€5.40
4th
7L
80/1
About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.