18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure
icon
Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Slipper completes Joseph O'Brien double

Sat 28th May 2022, 16:52

The grey Grecian Slipper is pushed out by Declan McDonogh to beat Paris PeacockThe grey Grecian Slipper is pushed out by Declan McDonogh to beat Paris Peacock
© Photo Healy Racing

Grecian Slipper completed a double at Navan for Joseph O'Brien, as she ran out a comfortable winner of the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden.

A fine third on debut at Gowran last month, the daughter of New Bay was expected to deliver this afternoon and was sent off the 11/8 favourite, stepping up in trip to a mile-and-a-quarter.

Settled in fourth by Declan McDonogh, the grey victor took closer order on the outer from early in the straight and travelled best with two furlongs to race.

Soon pushed along to lead, she extended her advantage inside the final furlong and came home three-and-a-quarter lengths clear of Paris Peacock in second.

The runner-up was returned at 10/3 under Shane Foley for Jessica Harrington, while Alaroos (5s to 10/3) was another three lengths back in third.

The winner holds an entry in the King George V Cup at Leopardstown next week and the Munster Oaks at Cork on June 8th.

Joseph O'Brien was earlier successful with Voice Of Angels matching the double completed by his father Aidan, while his brother Donnacha was also on the scoresheet with Wodao

Assistant trainer Brendan Powell said: "She's still a baby. She learned a lot from the first time. We were just wondering if the ground would be alright for her but he (Declan McDonogh) said she coped with it.

"I think you could go back to a mile or you could go up in trip if you wanted. She seems straightforward.

"Declan said she will come on again for the run in every way. She's just a little bit buzzy but she has a good temperament.

"She has got a very good pedigree, so, knowing Joseph, he will be looking for a bit of black type. There's no reason why she can't improve enough to get black type."

STEWARDS REPORT

N.M. Crosse, rider of Any Dream Will Do trained by W. McCreery, reported to the Clerk of the Scales that his mount leaned right in the straight.

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.