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John O'Riordan
Red Trail doubles up for McNamara in Pravha Handicap
Red Trail and Conor Stone Walsh win for trainer Andrew McNamara Healy Racing
© Photo Healy Racing
Red Trail repeated her win of 12 months ago ago when staying on strongly under Conor Stone-Walsh to register back-to-back wins in the Pravha Handicap at Down Royal.
Trained in Athboy by Andrew McNamara, the four-year-old came into this race on an 8lb higher mark than last year but is a much improved filly now having won her previous start at Gowran Park in July.
Obviously put away with a repeat bid for this race in mind, McNamara executed that plan to perfection as the daughter of Galileo Gold was primed for the day.
Travelling easily in mid division throughout, she was produced to lead entering the straight, keeping on well for a one-and-three-quarter-length success.
Conor Stone-Walsh said: "She has travelled too strong, she has been very fresh early. She took quite a keen hold and I didn't get enough cover, and I hit the front too soon as well but she stayed going to the line.
"She just idled her way up the straight and I'm sure if something had come to her she would have gone again.
"She loves soft ground and the trip is perfect when they go hard early and you can get her relaxed. She stays well to the line."
When asked about her in a maiden hurdle at Clonmel on Thursday, he quipped: "We'll keep her on the Flat if we can!"
Additional reporting by Michael Graham .