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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Vert gets up to justify favouritism

Thu 7th Aug 2014, 17:43

Hail The Hero leads Vert De Grece inside the final furlongHail The Hero leads Vert De Grece inside the final furlong
© Photo Healy Racing

The Joe Murphy owned and trained Vert De Grece got up in the nick of time as he justified 5/4 favouritism in the opener at Leopardstown this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF 2yo Maiden.

The son of Verglas ran a fine race on his debut over the course and distance in June, finishing just half a length second to Convergence.

He since missed three engagements but back in action this evening he was settled in second under Gary Carroll as Hail The Hero attempted to make all.

A furlong out it looked as if the Aidan O’Brien trained colt was going to fend off the favourite however the victorious grey got going in the closing stages getting up to score by a neck.

Hail The Hero had to settle for second under Joseph O’Brien (9/2 to 11/2 on-course), while debutant Park Rebel was a further six lengths back in third under Chris Hayes for Paul Deegan at 10/1.

Joe Murphy said afterwards: “Coming here I thought he would win easier. Gary felt that there is more improvement in him. It’s so long since he has run.

"He is a nice horse and he’ll head for the Furturity now on the 24th. He’ll have no problem in getting a mile. I wouldn’t have minded another furlong the way things went today."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
5/4Fav
Tote €2.10 €1.02
2nd
nk
11/2
€1.50
3rd
6L
10/1
€3.20
4th
nk
66/1
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.