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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Chigorin sees it out best under Blackmore

Mon 18th Dec 2023, 23:05

Prince Palace just leads over the last with eventual winner Chigorin to his rightPrince Palace just leads over the last with eventual winner Chigorin to his right
© Photo Healy Racing

Chigorin finished with a flourish to land the Lacey's Plumbing & Heating Supplies Maiden Hurdle.

A E90,000 Tattersalls Derby Sale graduate and out of a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Abbyssial, the Shantou five-year-old was a fine third on his sole point-to-point start when in the care of Pat Doyle.

Again third on his debut for current connections at Naas last month, the Henry de Bromhead-trained victor raced mainly in fourth this afternoon.

Switched to the outer away from the second last, the Peter Davies-owned gelding was ridden away from the final flight and stayed on powerfully under Rachael Blackmore, going on to register a three-and-a-half length success.

The Pat Fahy trained Prince Palace (12/1) filled the runner-up spot under Jody McGarvey, while O'Moore Park (4/6f) was a further two-and-a-half lengths away in third.

"We're delighted with that. He stepped forward nicely from Naas, we thought he wanted three miles and he has proved us right," Robbie Power, representing de Bromhead, commented.

"He's still learning, the penny is only starting to drop with him now, so hopefully he can keep improving.

"He's an out-and-out stayer and you won't see the best of him until he goes chasing. He's a fine big strong horse and he'll be a nice one to look forward to next season."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

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.