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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Maguire's on the mark with Littlestickarubarb

Mon 2nd Apr 2018, 14:48

Littlestickarubarb (nearest) jumps to the front at the last with Pound A Stroke on her insideLittlestickarubarb (nearest) jumps to the front at the last with Pound A Stroke on her inside
© Photo Healy Racing

Littlestickarubarb got off the mark on just her third start for Adrian Maguire, as she took the Follow Cork On Twitter Handicap Hurdle.

Previously trained by Tony Martin and Matthew Smith, the daughter of Westerner made her debut for Maguire at Clonmel in February.

She pulled up on that occasion, and since fell at the last when beaten in third on her most recent start over the course and distance.

Sent off at 7/1 this afternoon, she travelled strongly in third as they entered the straight, getting to the front at the last before going on to score by four and three parts of a length.

The 11/4 favourite Pound A Stroke finished second under Kevin Brouder for Eoin McCarthy, while Cardhu (13/2 to 5/1) was twenty-two lengths back in third with Derek O'Connor aboard for Robert Tyner.

The winning handler said afterwards: "He gave her a great ride and she settled today and was far too keen the last day when she was never going to get home.

"A big thanks to her owner John Kilbane, from Meath, for sending me this mare and a big thanks to my brother Michael (retired jockey Jason Maguire's father) too as he pre-trained her and without him I wouldn't have her.

"It's great to repay them with a winner and it's especially great to get one in Mallow."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

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.