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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Well-backed Ball proves too good for Berry

Mon 28th Dec 2015, 12:52

Kevin Sexton (left) and David Mullins after finishing first and secondKevin Sexton (left) and David Mullins after finishing first and second
© Photo Healy Racing

The well-backed Ball D'arc led home a Gigginstown one, two the opener at Limerick, the Racing Post Maiden Hurdle.

Having won a point-to-point and bumper, the Gordon Elliott trained son of Network was disappointingly beaten into second on his debut over flights at Navan earlier this month.

He unseated at the first at Leopardstown on St Stephens Day and turned out again quickly he was sent off the well-backed 5/4 second favourite (5/2 last night and from 7/4 on-course) under Kevin Sexton.

Sent straight to the front he made all and was ridden out on the run-in to see off the challenge of Berry Des Aulmes by a length and a quarter.

The runner-up was returned the even money favourite under David Mullins for his uncle Willie. Conna Cross (66/1) completed the placings a further thirteen lengths back in third under Paddy Mangan for his father Jimmy.

Kevin Sexton said afterwards: "He did it very well and settled away great in front.

"He travelled brilliantly and I always had loads of horse and he also jumped brilliantly. I knew nothing would catch him and he'll go further too as he stays well. He is a nice horse who is going the right way."

STEWARDS REPORTS

D.J. Mullins, rider of Berry Des Aulmes (FR), trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount tripped up and he was unseated after the winning post.

A.E. Lynch, rider of Moyhree trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount got stuck in the ground and he was unseated after the winning line.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

1st
5/4
Tote €2.10 €1.02
2nd
1.25L
1/1Fav
€1.02
3rd
13L
66/1
€6.30
4th
8.5L
33/1
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.