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Donal Murphy
Stellar Shinnick bags 44/1 brace
Stellar Symphony and John Shinnick sail over the last
© Photo Healy Racing
Stellar Symphony completed a 44/1 double for John Shinnick, as she bounced back to form in the Glenary Handicap Hurdle.
A beaten favourite on her penultimate start at Limerick, the Terence O'Brien-trained nine-year-old again failed to make an impact when last seen at Ballinrobe in July.
Sent off an easy-to-back 11/1 chance this afternoon (from 15/2), the Mahler bay was prominent in the early stages before settling in mid-division on the outer, taking closer order from the third last.
The 90-rated bay travelled strongly to lead approaching the next and increased her advantage before the final flight, keeping on well when ridden on the run-in after a flawless jump at the last.
Top-weight Crossing The Bar (13/2) was a length and three quarters away in second, finishing strongly from off the pace under Jack Kearney.
There was another two and a quarter lengths back to Cafe Del Mar (10/1) in third, while the well-supported Beggars Rock (11/10f from 2s) faded tamely in the straight and eventually finished fifth.
"I didn't expect that as in her last few runs she had been running well up until a point but dropping out," Shinnick, who was earlier successful on Stormalong commented.
"Today, coming down the hill for the last time, it took her a while to catch her breath but once she did, away she went. She was good and gamey.
"She needs good ground and while her form is good, why not stay going with her."
STEWARDS REPORT
K. Callaghan, rider of Hob's Angel trained by James M. Barcoe, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount hung left, weakened quickly and pulled up.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes