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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Midnight Fire roars in for Hayes

Sun 16th Apr 2023, 18:21

Midnight Fire responds to Chris Hayes' urgingsMidnight Fire responds to Chris Hayes' urgings
© Photo Healy Racing

Midnight Fire was unleashed by Chris Hayes to plunder the big-field six-furlong handicap at Headquarters.

The 8/1 shot was seventh over a furlong from home, but started to make up ground on the inner racing into the final furlong.

Hayes delivered him to the front inside the final 150 yards and the joint top-weight went on by a length and three parts.

There was a bunch finish for the places with runner-up Tall Story (50/1) a short head in front of Golden Spangle (50/1). Inthepoorhouse (12/1) was a neck away in fourth.

For those who availed of extra places, Improving (12/1 from 33/1) was fifth while the always-prominent Even Flow (150/1) took sixth.

“That’s his third time to win over course and distance and he’s also won at Leopardstown. It’s his time of the year," said Eddie Harty.

“I thought the ground might be too soft for him, but I just hoped that it was tacky and not loose so that he could get a bit of traction on it. When it’s sloppy he can’t handle it.

“The handicapper gave him a chance and hopefully there is another one in him.”

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
8/1
Tote €12.10 €3.00
2nd
1.75L
50/1
€13.70
3rd
shd
50/1
€8.50
4th
nk
12/1
€2.70
bf
1.75L
11/4Fav
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.