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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Elliott doubles-up with Fort Smith

Sun 14th Jun 2015, 17:31

Fort Smith jumps the last under Jamie CoddFort Smith jumps the last under Jamie Codd
© Photo Healy Racing

Fort Smith made it back to back wins over fences as he took the J For Jaguar Handicap Chase under Jamie Codd (standing in for Bryan Cooper who was earlier stood down) for Gordon Elliott.

The six-year-old son of Presenting won a bumper at Ballinrobe last year but proved very frustrating over hurdles.

He got off the mark on his third try over fences over the course recently and carrying top-weight this afternoon he was sent off a 10/1 chance.

Settled in mid-division he went second after the fourth last and lead after he next.

He travelled best approaching the final two fences and he was ridden out on the run-in, going on to score by five lengths. Finea (9/1 to 7's) kept on well to take second under Luke Dempsey for Keith Watson while King Leon was a neck back in third under Mark Walsh for Aidan O'Brien at 4/1 (from 5's). As De Pique was sent off the well-backed 6/4 favourite and he unseated early in the race.

Elliott, who was completing a double on the card, said afterwards: "Jamie gave him a good ride. He was out walking the track so we had to go looking for him! He won a bumper on Fort Smith so I was keen for him to ride him."

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

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.