Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Donal Murphy
Athenry impresses in the Challenge
Fields Of Athenry is pushed out by Seamie Heffernan
© Photo Healy Racing
Fields Of Athenry made all as he ran out an impressive winner of the Listed Challenge Stakes under Seamie Heffernan.
A decisive winner of a maiden at Dundalk in May the son of Galileo was sent off favourite in the Ulster Derby on his next start.
He looked the likely victor turning into the straight there but he was caught close home by Botany Bay and had to settle for second.
Available at 9/4 last night with Paddy Power the Aidan O'Brien trained colt opened on-course at 15/8 before going off the 7/4 joint-favourite.
Having raced in a clear lead he was given a breather down the back straight before kicking on again approaching the home turn.
He extended his advantage in the straight and was given just one crack of the whip as he came home ten lengths to the good. Silwana was the other joint-favourite and she finished second under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld while Drifting Mist was another two and a half lengths back in third.
Heffernan said afterwards: "He's been very impressive in all his runs this year. The high weight and inexperience just caught him out the last day. Joseph said he was ready for today.
"My plan was to jump out lay my hands down on his withers and let it happen. He was good today."
STEWARDS REPORT
W.M. Lordan, rider of Manndawi (FR), trained by Ed Dunlop (in GB), reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not stay the trip.
Additional reporting by Gary Carson