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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Be Happy another smart one for team Ballydoyle

Wed 7th Sep 2022, 16:31

Be Happy (nearest) comes with her winning run under Wayne LordanBe Happy (nearest) comes with her winning run under Wayne Lordan
© Photo Healy Racing

Aidan O'Brien and Wayne Lordan combined to take the opener at Cork this evening, the Irish Stallion Farms Irish EBF Fillies Maiden, with newcomer Be Happy

The pair also landed the first at Galway yesterday with fellow smart debutant Alexandroupolis, with both winners by Camelot.

Supported from 10/3 into 9/4 favouritism, the bay victor was soon towards rear but took closer order on the outer from early in the straight.

She was ridden to challenge from the two furlong pole, but it wasn't until well inside the final furlong that she really got going, hitting the front with less than 100 yards to race, going on to score by a length-and-a-quarter.

The easy-to-back Foniska (15/2 from 5s) finished second under Shane Foley for Jessica Harrington, while Speirling Beag (18/1) was another half-a-length back in third.

"She's a lovely big filly. She's been coming along nicely at home," said stable representative Chris Armstrong.

"Wayne gave her a lovely ride and she's a filly to look forward to next year for some of those staying races.

"Probably the next step is for her to step into a listed or group race. It was lovely to get the win, when the penny dropped with her."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
9/4Fav
Tote €3.25 €1.30
2nd
1.25L
15/2
€4.40
3rd
0.5L
18/1
4th
2L
3/1
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.