McSweeney is the star that goes racing

RTE presenter Ella McSweeney won the inaugural Stars Go Racing TV series as her trainer Mick Halford sent out Barrow Island to take the Leopardstown Cup at 9/4.

Johnny Murtagh sent the four-year-old gelding past pace-setter Crystal Morning over a furlong out and the duo powered home by a length and three parts from Six Silver Lane

Halford confirmed that they had a plan for the race. He said: “It went very much to plan. We thought Crystal Morning would make it and our plan was to sit second.

“He stays a mile well so didn’t want it turning into a sprint. Johnny sent him on turning in and he outstayed them really.

“I thought some of the others would be doubtful stayers.”

Commenting on taking part in the reality TV series Stars Go Racing where he mentored Ella McSweeney, Halford said: “It has been a great adventure and we really enjoyed it.

“Ella was a lovely girl. She got involved, took it seriously and enjoyed it. The team worked really hard and it was a great result for everybody.

Ella McSweeney presents Ear To The Ground on RTE – a programme consisting of reports on rural environmental issues.

Johnny Murtagh carried out a flying dismount from Barrow Island and picked up Ms McSweeney to give her a big hug.

Six Silver Lane (8/1) was runner-up for Joanna Morgan and hotelier Francis Brennan while Colour Of Love (6/1) was a neck further back in third for Willie McCreery and meteorologist Jean Byrne.

Crystal Morning was sent off 6/4 favourite for Jessica Harrington and former Irish rugby player Alan Quinlan but the Cape Cross filly finished fourth.

Footage can be seen on the Stars Go Racing programme in two weeks time on RTE1.

Michael Graham