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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

O'Brien Happily off mark on Derby weekend

Fri 30th Jun 2017, 18:16

Happily strides on in the CurraghHappily strides on in the Curragh
© Photo Healy Racing

Happily stepped up on her debut performance to land the juvenile fillies' maiden over seven furlongs in the Curragh for Aidan and Donnacha O'Brien.

The sister to Gleneagles was seventh in Leopardstown just over three weeks ago in a race won by her stablemate September.

However, it was a different story today as the favourite raced in rear of mid-division before being ridden into contention over a furlong out.

She picked off Shalailah inside the furlong pole and asserted in the final 100 yards to win snugly by a length and three parts at 8/11.

Shalailah (6/1) came in second with Sizzling running on for third at 9/1 on debut for O'Brien snr. She was beaten four lengths by the winner.

Aidan O’Brien said: “She’s a lovely filly with a good pedigree and will obviously stay further.

"She was trapped out a little bit by herself and was a little bit green in the middle part of the race. It was a help that she had the run but finished out her race very well which you like to see.

"She is still babyish but you would have to love the way she finished off. She will slot into a Listed or Group race next time.”

On Royal Ascot winner (of the Chesham) September, he added: "She is good. Seamus (Heffernan) rode her this morning and he was very happy with her so she'll have a little bit of an easy time. I think we might come back here for the Debutante and go on from there."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

1st
8/11Fav
Tote €1.80 €1.02
2nd
1.75L
6/1
€1.70
3rd
2.25L
9/1
€1.80
4th
0.5L
20/1
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.