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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Real Force lives up to his name at Headquarters

Mon 18th Mar 2024, 14:39

Real Force powers away from the placed horsesReal Force powers away from the placed horses
© Photo Healy Racing

Real Force rewarded plenty of support on seasonal reappearance in the La Celia Wines Handicap over five furlongs in the Curragh.

The seven-year-old gelding was a top-priced 14/1 in the morning and was punted down to 5/1 on the off.

He was fully second-last after the halfway point in this dash and began to motor on the outer with a furlong and a-half to travel.

Wayne Hassett urged him into contention at the furlong pole and the duo stormed into the lead inside the final 150 yards.

The grey readily galloped away to put three lengths on 10/3 joint favourite Stag Night Laugh A Minute who won the last two renewals of this race, ran creditably in third at 11/2.

Ger O’Leary said: “He did it very nicely and Wayne said it was just a matter of pressing the button.

“He’ll go now to Cork for a Listed race in two weeks’ time over six furlongs.

“He was in great form. We didn’t work him as such, but gave him plenty on the heavy sand on the Curragh and got stamina into him as he has natural speed.

“He could stay a mile and is just an athlete.

“It’s his time of the year. We were a little worried as the lads were saying it was gluey, but he got through it nicely.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
5/1
Tote €6.00 €2.00
2nd
3L
10/3JFav
€1.40
3rd
0.5L
11/2
€2.00
4th
nose
10/3JFav
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.