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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Washington DC bounces back to his best

Sun 15th May 2016, 14:03

Washington DC is pushed out by Seamie HeffernanWashington DC is pushed out by Seamie Heffernan
© Photo Healy Racing

The Aidan O'Brien trained Washington DC bounced back to his best as he ran out a comfortable winner of the opener at Navan, the Listed Coolmore Stud Power Stakes.

Having won a Listed race at Dundalk on his seasonal reappearance, the son of Zoffany was a disappointing seventh when sent off favourite on his next start in a Group 3 at Ascot.

Sent off the 13/8 favourite today he was settled behind the leaders by Seamie Heffernan.

He was pushed along to challenge from the two furlong pole, and he swept to the front with over a furlong to race, keeping on well from there to score by two and a quarter lengths. Diamond Fields (16/1) kept on well to take second under Wayne Lordan for Tommy Stack, while Only Mine (9/1 from 14's this morning) was a neck back in third under Gary Carroll for Joe Murphy.

Joseph O'Brien said afterwards: "He won well in fairness to him and the ground was a big help.

"It was a bit slow for him the last day and a few things didn't work out - he got a bump.

"He has a lot of pace and was a good two-year-old. I'd say he'll go for the Commonwealth Cup.

"He's a quick horse and fast ground is the key to him as he's a low mover. Five or six is his trip."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
13/8Fav
Tote €2.30 €1.02
2nd
2.25L
16/1
€5.20
3rd
nk
9/1
€3.20
4th
0.75L
9/2
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.