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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Pump Road finds the route to victory

Tue 23rd Jul 2019, 21:04

Pump Road in between Darragh O'Keefe and Mark McNiffPump Road in between Darragh O'Keefe and Mark McNiff
© Photo Healy Racing

Pump Road made up plenty of ground in the closing stages of the Sweeney Oil Handicap Hurdle to flash home by half a length at 5/1.

He was fully sixth, and ridden by Darragh O'Keefe, off the home bend, but really hit his straps in the final furlong to rocket in and claim Mickey Shea in the last few strides.

The runner-up went off at 25/1 for Denis Cullen and Ricky Doyle. Sizing Mallbay (11/1) and Divin Desir at 20/1 completed the placings in third and fourth respectively.

Darragh O'Keefe said: "He had a rough passage but once he jumped the last and had something to aim at he was very tough."

Trainer Mark McNiff was leading the horse up.

Additional reporting by Eamonn Murphy

1st
5/1
Tote €5.10 €1.50
2nd
0.5L
25/1
€5.50
3rd
0.5L
11/1
€2.10
4th
2.5L
20/1
€6.40
bf
6L
10/3Fav
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.