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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Slieve Bearnagh takes advantage of his mark

Mon 18th Oct 2021, 17:58

Slieve Bearnagh powers away from the pursuersSlieve Bearnagh powers away from the pursuers
© Photo Healy Racing

Slieve Bearnagh was down to 1lb lower than his previous winning mark and readily doubled his career total in the nightcap at Gowran Park.

Ronan Whelan had him in mid-division and the pair moved closer on the inner in the home straight.

The four-year-old Zoffany gelding was ridden to the front a furlong down and powered home by a healthy three and a quarter lengths at 7/1. Fennor Cross the 5/2 favourite who drifted out from 7/4, finished second a neck up on 14/1 chaance Clear Quartz Camogue Wood put in a decent shift for fourth at 40/1.

Whelan said: "I'm delighted for the horse and his owner. It's been a long-time coming, Paul (Rooney) has been very patient, and I'm delighted to ride a winner for him.

"The horse deserved it because he always runs his race. Conditions were ideal for him, he enjoyed that soft ground and Mick (Halford) was adamant to stay on the rail the whole way around and it worked out a treat.

"He is probably not a Dundalk horse. He has run up there before and probably didn't show his best form on it. We will probably try and get him out again before the grass season ends."

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

1st
7/1
Tote €8.50 €2.30
2nd
3.25L
5/2Fav
€1.30
3rd
nk
14/1
€2.80
4th
1.5L
40/1
€8.70
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.