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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Sweet win for Chocolate in Curragh opener

Sun 22nd Jul 2018, 14:06

Chocolate Music and Colm O'Donoghue just get the better of Foxtrot Liv (hidden)Chocolate Music and Colm O'Donoghue just get the better of Foxtrot Liv (hidden)
© Photo Healy Racing

Chocolate Music just prevailed in the opener at the Curragh, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.

Third on debut at Fairyhouse a fortnight ago, the Jessica Harrington trained daughter of Dark Angel was sent off at 8/1 this afternoon.

Settled behind the leaders by Colm O'Donoghue, she was ridden from the furlong pole, and had a tussle with Foxtrot Liv in the closing stages, with just a nose separating them at the line.

The runner-up, who led from over a furlong out, was also returned at 8/1, with Billy Lee aboard this one for Paddy Twomey.

Newcomer Burmese Waltz (12/1) ran a fine race to finish third, another half a length back, while the 6/4 favourite Fire Fly was a disappointing fifth.

Harrington, who trains the winner for the Long Wait Partnership, said afterwards: "Colm said if he had been beaten it would have been his fault.

"She wanted to go but he just got checked and then came around. He said she was strong at the end so he's delighted with her.

"She has plenty of pace so we'll keep her at that, up to six furlongs, and we'll see where we go with her.

"She's in the Moyglare and she's in the Lowther as well. She has a few entries and might easily go for the Lowther."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
8/1
Tote €7.70 €2.20
2nd
nose
8/1
€3.10
3rd
0.5L
12/1
€4.60
4th
3L
10/1
bf
nose
6/4Fav
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.