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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

French Rain looks useful on debut

Sun 21st Jul 2019, 14:53

French Rain in charge in the closing stagesFrench Rain in charge in the closing stages
© Photo Healy Racing

Ger Lyons' newcomer French Rain certainly knew her job in the opening juvenile maiden at the Curragh.

Six horses were making their debuts in this eight-runner field and plenty of Group-race entries were held in what could be an informative race.

The 33/1 outsider Getawiggleon (from 66/1) took the field along under Conor Maxwell with Blissful tracking in second and French Rain a handy third.

French Rain was asked for her effort by Colin Keane racing past the two pole and she hit the front inside the final furlong.

From there, the 3/1 favourite really came home well to put a length and three parts on Blissful (10/3). Getawiggleon ran a stormer in third, a further three quarters of a length away.

Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “She was very professional and did it well.

“We liked her at home. She'll improved plenty for the run, as ours do normally. We've a good bunch of fillies and she's up there.

“She holds all the early closing entries for the good races, mainly because we have to do it early.

“She'll improve for a step up in trip as well.

“There were a lot of talking horses there and we knew we'd be a bit green so we're delighted with what she's after do and she was professional with it.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
3/1Fav
Tote €3.90 €1.60
2nd
1.75L
10/3
€1.02
3rd
0.75L
33/1
€5.60
4th
2.25L
10/1
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.