18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Press gets deserved win to his name

Mon 9th May 2016, 18:40

Full Court Press and Connor King hold off the challenge of Lord Justice with Ceol Na Nog back in thirdFull Court Press and Connor King hold off the challenge of Lord Justice with Ceol Na Nog back in third
© Photo Healy Racing

Full Court Press got a deserved win to his name, as he took the Roscommon Handicap under Connor King for Johnny Murtagh.

Beaten a nose into second by Birthplace at Limerick last month, the son of Frozen Power was sent off a 6/1 chance today.

In mid-division on the outer early, he made good progress down the back straight to track the leaders.

He travelled nicely to lead two furlongs out, and was ridden out from the furlong pole, keeping on well to score by a neck. Lord Justice (10's to 8's) pressed the winner from over a furlong out, but he couldn't get his head in front and had to settle for second under Ana O'Brien for her father Aidan. Ceol Na Nog who was sent off the 5/2 favourite (from 3's), raced prominently before being headed from the two furlongs pole. She eventually finished a length back in third under Kevin Manning for Jim Bolger.

Johnny Murtagh, who was also on the mark at Wexford on Saturday, said afterwards: "He deserved that and has always been knocking on the door. He had the hood on and we took it off today but he's still a bit of a baby.

"These three-year-old handicaps are competitive, and hopefully he can go on and win another one. I'm happy with the way things are going, and our horses are running very consistent."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
6/1
Tote €5.60 €1.90
2nd
nk
8/1
€2.70
3rd
1L
5/2Fav
€1.60
4th
nk
50/1
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.