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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Haqeeba provides Lennon with first flat win

Mon 1st Aug 2016, 15:33

Haqeeba and Seamie Heffernan (left) just get the better of Almanaara (centre) and Flowerhill NovaHaqeeba and Seamie Heffernan (left) just get the better of Almanaara (centre) and Flowerhill Nova
© Photo Healy Racing

Liam Lennon recorded his first winner on the flat, as Haqeeba took the Revamp Supporting Naas Hurling Maiden.

The daughter of Haatef was also providing her rider Seamie Heffernan with a quick double, after he took the opener aboard Leo Minor

Sent off an 8/1 chance, the bay filly was drawn on the wide outside in stall 13. She was settled behind the leaders and was ridden to challenge with under two furlongs to race.

She edged to the front inside the final 100 yards, and kept on well from there, holding off the 5/4 favourite Almanarra by a short head.

The runner-up was ridden by Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld, while the front-running Flowerhill Nova (11/8) completed the placings, a further half a length back in third under Declan McDonogh for Andy Slattery. Shinko Princess was a fast finishing fourth, and she is sure to have entered plenty of notebooks.

Liam Lennon said afterwards: "I'm more used to the point-to-point game. They tell me about the draw and other things but to be honest I don't know much about it.

"We bought her at Goresbridge (for E2,000), and she's been lucky for us getting money every time. That's my first winner on the flat."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
8/1
Tote €10.70 €3.30
2nd
shd
5/4Fav
€1.90
3rd
0.5L
11/8
€1.02
4th
hd
66/1
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.