David Moran enjoyed the biggest win of his career when partnering Blue Corrig to land the E75,000 Charles Hurst Ulster Derby at Down Royal yesterday afternoon, writes Alan Magee.
Veteran trainer Joe Crowley made his first visit to the northern venue a very successful one as the three-year-old gelding quickened up impressively two furlongs out and stayed on well to beat Mr Wong by a length and a half. Moran, 20, from Templemore and apprenticed to Jim Bolger, was recording his sixth win of the season and his eleventh in total.
'He really needed this trip and will now be aimed at similar handicaps, but hurdling will be his ideal job,' said Crowley, who only took out a full licence for the first time earlier this month.
Michael Cunningham sent out two winners from his Navan yard but missed out on the action as he was attending the wedding of his daughter Tara. The victory of Tara's Gift was a real family affair for the Cunningham's as the five-year-old mare was bred by the trainer's wife Ann and owned by Tara. Seamus Heffernan had her close to the pace throughout for a length and a half win over Great Idea.
Any Dream Will Do was earlier on the mark for Cunningham in the two-year-old auction maiden, with Michael Hussey's mount just prevailed in a blanket finish by a head from Dollivius.
Step Back returned to form when breaking fast and making all under Fran Berry in the sprint handicap. 'He won five times in 2001 but was all wrong last year and, like all my horses, was suffering with a cough and dirty nose early this season. He loves that fast ground, and will go to the Curragh for another five furlongs handicap next Friday,' said trainer Gerry Keane.
Berry completed a 31/1 double in the 0-70 mile and a half handicap when the Jessica Harrington-trained Pescetto Lady swept to the front over a furlong out to beat Aston by a length and a half.
Dermot Murphy is finally gaining reward this season for 20 years as a permit holder, and saddled his fourth winner of the campaign from just two horses when Girl Wonder took the seven furlongs handicap. The six-year-old mare settled the issue in a matter of strides when quickening clear over a furlong out for Helen Keohane to beat Evelyn Maria by three lengths. 'She loves that ground, and I will enter her in a handicap at the Curragh next Saturday,' said Murphy.
Alan Magee
