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Only By Night too strong for Mullins pair in Tipperary

Only By Night and Keith Donoghue Only By Night and Keith Donoghue
© Photo Healy Racing

The Gavin Cromwell trained Only By Night made an impressive winning debut over fences when proving too strong for a pair of well fancied opponents in the Tipperary Beginners Chase.

Willie Mullins had a strong hand in the race, saddling both the odds-on Mirazur West and joint second favourite Westport Cove

However, it was the other joint second favourite Only By Night who proved the strongest of the leading trio when the race got serious after two out.

For much of the second circuit, the contest looked to revolve around the Mullins duo as they went head-to-head up front.

Turning into the home straight nothing separated the two, as Keith Donoghue pushed along on Only By Night back in third.

However, everything changed approaching the last, as Only By Night came through between horses to quicken up impressively to win by six-and-a-half lengths.

Gavin Cromwell said: "She jumped brilliant and is very good to jump although I thought we were in bother going along the side but she found plenty for pressure. I'm delighted with her.

"We won't lose the run of ourselves but it was a good performance and she will go further too. There is a nice programme for mares here and she could also travel to the UK too so we'll see."

Paddy Power introduced Only By Night into the Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase at 25/1.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes.

About John O'Riordan
John has worked for the Press Association since 2022. He also writes a weekly column for The Irish Field and is a regular contributor to the Irish Racing Yearbook. He has previously written for the Racing Post, Irish Examiner and Irish Daily Mirror. He has been involved in racing for over three decades; having experience as a syndicate member, sole owner and breeder.