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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Well regarded Bullet takes Limerick opener

Sun 11th Nov 2012, 13:34

Bullet Street comes with his challenge on the outside as Gentleman Duke (No 9) leads over the lastBullet Street comes with his challenge on the outside as Gentleman Duke (No 9) leads over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

The opening race at Limerick this afternoon, the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, went to the uncle/nephew combination of Martin and Shane Hassett as they combined to score with 20/1 outsider Bullet Street

The 4yo son of Arakan had one run to his name before today, that coming in a bumper over the course in April where he was well beaten by Summer Star.

That run was on good ground but on heavy ground this afternoon he made headway approaching the third last and was sixth entering the straight.

He was a closer fifth at the last and made further headway to lead on the run-in, keeping on well to score cosily by a length and a quarter.

The Arthur Moore trained Gentleman Duke was sent off the even money favourite under Gareth Malone but he couldn’t match the winner on the run-in and had to settle for second.

Winning trainer Martin Hassett said afterwards: "This lad is a serious horse. We knew we had a serious horse going for the Listed bumper with him earlier in the year. He is an absolute machine.

"I got him for nothing three and a half years ago at the sales. The man who sold him to me (Denis Bergin) said to me that if he didn’t sell that he would take him.

"He is for sale. It might not have been the strongest of races but he is a fair one. It will take a fair few pounds to buy him.

"He travelled well the whole way and he likes soft ground."

(Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes)

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.