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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

3 for O'Brien as MacBride wins the bumper

Sun 18th May 2014, 17:58

MacBride comes home in front under Sarah O'Brien from Mm Dazzler in secondMacBride comes home in front under Sarah O'Brien from Mm Dazzler in second
© Photo Healy Racing

MacBride made it a cross-card treble for Aidan O'Brien (two winners at Navan), as he took the last at Limerick, the Saturday Night Fever 7th June (Pro/Am) Flat Race, scoring under O'Brien's daughter Sarah.

Having finished a close-up third on his debut at Punchestown last November, the five-year-old son of Oscar then disappointed when finishing seventh to Noble Endeavour at Leopardstown on St Stephens Day.

Friendless in the market today, the five-year-old gelding was returned a 9/2 chance, having opened this morning at 5/2.

Having led from the start in a first time hood, the JP McManus owned victor was joined and headed by Mm Dazzler as they raced towards the home straight.

The duo had a great battle in the straight, with MacBride just gaining the upper hand close home, going on to score by two and a half lengths at the line.

Mm Dazzler (12/1) ran a fine race in second under Finian Maguire for his father Adrian, while the 8/13 favourite Maniero proved a big disappointment, finishing a well-beaten fifth under Patrick Mullins for Tony Martin.

Nineteen year-old Sarah O'Brien, who was recording her fourth winner, said afterwards: "He gave me a great ride and he finished really well.

"I dropped him in before and he was a bit green in front today and that is why he had a look going past the stands."

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.