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Well-backed Campanology scores for Murtagh

Campanology (third from left) beats Line Drummer (far side), Paene Mangus (second from left) and BillyfordCampanology (third from left) beats Line Drummer (far side), Paene Mangus (second from left) and Billyford
© Photo Healy Racing

Campanology recorded his first win since arriving in Ireland, as he took the Irish Times Handicap for jockey/trainer Johnny Murtagh.

A two time winner in the UK, the four-year-old son of Royal Applause made his Irish debut at Dundalk back in March, and after going close on a couple of occasions since, he made the breakthrough today.

The Andrew Tinkler owned gelding was 9/1 last night with Paddy Power, but he was available at just 13/2 this morning, opening on-course at 9/2, before going off the well-supported 4/1 favourite.

Having raced in mid-division, he made progress from two furlongs out, and he was driven along to challenge with a furlong left to race.

He got to the front in the closing stages, holding off the late surge of Line Drummer to score by half a length at the line.

Line Drummer (7/1) for Aidan and Joseph O’Brien, actually dead-heated for second with Paene Mangus (16/1), for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning, while Billyford ran his best race for a while to take fourth, just a neck back under Seamie Heffernan for Liam Roche at 33/1.

Johnny Murtagh said afterwards: "He ran well in the Cambridgeshire and he might be one for Dubai. He is rated 95 now and he is creeping up all the time.

"He has been running consistently well. He is taking his races much better as he was a bit of a worrier.

"Maybe he will have on more race and then possibly go to Dubai."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
4/1Fav
Tote €3.40 €1.50
2nd
0.5L
7/1
€2.60
2nd
Dht
16/1
€5.60
4th
nk
33/1
€11.80
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.