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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Outsider Pashtunwali beats favourite Avichi

Thu 16th Jul 2015, 17:46

Pashtunwali (noseband) is driven out by Finian Maguire to beat Avichi and Colin Motherway Pashtunwali (noseband) is driven out by Finian Maguire to beat Avichi and Colin Motherway
© Photo Healy Racing

Pashtunwali sprang a surprise in the bumper at Killarney, the Christy Lucey Transport Ltd Flat Race, as he got the better of the favourite Avichi

The Eoin Griffin trained son of Golan was well-beaten on his debut at Leopardstown in February before finishing eighth on his next start at Fairyhouse.

He was seventh of seventeen on his last outing at Clonmel and he was sent off an easy to back 25/1 chance today.

Settled in mid-division by Finian Maguire he was sixth approaching the straight. He soon made progress on the outer and was ridden to challenge the leader from two furlongs out.

He gained a narrow lead at the furlong pole and he was driven out from there to score by half a length.

Avichi, who attempted to make all, was sent off the 7/4 favourite (from 9/4 on-course) and she had to settle for second under Colin Motherway for Willie Mullins.

The front two went ten lengths clear of Brosna George (5/1 to 7/2 on-course) who was third under Sonny Carey for Ross O'Sullivan.

Eoin Griffin said afterwards: "It took him a while for the penny to drop and he wasn't running to expectations on his last two runs - he hung at Clonmel the last day and this flat, left-handed track suited him more.

"He'll go straight over hurdles now and will be a nice hurdler for the summer.

"That's Finny's first ride for me although he was due to ride three others but they were non-runners!

"He gave the horse a peach and went the shortest way around the whole way."

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.