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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Crystal Black off the mark for Weld

Mon 19th Jul 2021, 17:23

Oisin Orr with Crystal Black Oisin Orr with Crystal Black
© Photo Healy Racing

Crystal Black surged in to land the John Rochford Memorial Maiden over an extended mile and one in Ballinrobe.

The nicely backed 15/2 chance picked up strongly in fifth entering the home straight and rattled home to hit the front in the final 100 yards.

He won going away by three lengths for Dermot Weld. Witham River (6/1) got a runner-up reward by a short head from Manwal (2/1f).

Jockey Oisin Orr said: "He had a lovely run first time out and he probably just needed it. He came on a good bit from it.

"For most of the way around here he didn't travel but he hit the line well. Hopefully he learned a bit from today and he will progress.

"I think he will be a nice horse. He stays well and I think he will get a bit further too."

Crystal Black finished eighth on debut at Leopardstown in May.

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

1st
15/2
Tote €9.80 €1.60
2nd
3L
6/1
€1.50
3rd
shd
2/1Fav
€1.50
4th
2.25L
3/1
About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.