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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Exciting Cedarwood provides O'Loughlin with Listed win

Sun 8th Mar 2020, 16:28

From left to right; Gearoid O'Loughlin, Davy Russell and Chris Jones pictured after the success of Cedarwood RoadFrom left to right; Gearoid O'Loughlin, Davy Russell and Chris Jones pictured after the success of Cedarwood Road
© Photo Healy Racing

The Listed Irish Racing Writers Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle produced yet another exciting finish, with Cedarwood Rose getting up in the dying strides to deny Beacon Edge

An impressive winner of a Leopardstown maiden hurdle over Christmas, the Gearoid O'Loughlin trained victor was sent off a 7/2 chance this afternoon with Davy Russell in the saddle.

Settled behind the leaders, the son of Stowaway came with a perfectly timed challenge on the outer from the last, getting up in the shadows of the post to prevail by a neck.

Beacon Edge (9/4 into 7/4 favouritism on-course), who was beaten by a nose over the course and distance last month, had to settle for second again, with the returning Sean Flanagan aboard this one for Noel Meade.

The front pair went four and three parts of a length clear of Entoucas (9/4) in third.

O’Loughlin, who trains the winner for Chris Jones, said afterwards: "It's easy to say now but it was the right decision not to go to the Supreme with him. He's a work in progress and that is the first time that he has come off the bridle.

"I guarantee he will have learned a lot from today. He might not run again this season and it will be Punchestown if he does. He's a horse with a big future.

"Even though he's a good mover he's actually more comfortable on that ground.

"He was got ready to win a four-year-old maiden point-to-point so he has more fences jumped than anyone. He still jumps fences at home.

"He's 17 hands and we'll take our time with him. It's my first Listed winner and I’m delighted to have a horse like him.

"He has a high cruising speed and he stays really well."

O'Loughlin, who is originally from Clare, recorded his first track success in January of last year and earlier saddled Space Cadet to finish fifth in the Leinster National.

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards interviewed S.W. Flanagan, rider of Beacon Edge, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards found S. W. Flanagan in breach of Regulation 10.3. (g) (frequency). Having considered S. W. Flanagan's record in this regard the Stewards suspended S. W. Flanagan for 2 racedays.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.