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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Third time lucky for 'smart' Degraves

Wed 9th Oct 2019, 16:38

Degraves and Donnacha O'Brien pictured on their way to victory Degraves and Donnacha O'Brien pictured on their way to victory
© Photo Healy Racing

Degraves made it third time lucky in the Welcome To Navan Racecourse Maiden, scoring under Donnacha O'Brien for his brother Joseph.

An eye-catching fourth on debut at the Curragh in August, the son of Camelot since finished third to Sinawaan at the Co Kildare venue.

Sent off a 13/8 joint-favourite this afternoon, the bay colt was settled behind the leaders, taking closer order from early in the straight.

He was pushed along to lead over a furlong from home and kept on well when ridden in the closing stages, going on to prevail by two and a half lengths.

Newcomer Chiricahua (12s in early shows and returned a 13/8 joint-favourite) ran on strongly to take second under Colin Keane for Ger Lyons, while Crassus (8/1) was a short head back in third.

"He did it nicely. The form of his last run worked out really well so he was probably entitled to do that but I think he's a smart horse," said Donnacha O'Brien.

"He had no problem with the ground, he seemed fine on it and galloped through it well.

"I think he'll get a bit further but he's not slow. He quickens well, travelled really smooth, so I think a mile is probably fine for him at the minute."

Closely related to numerous winners, Degraves was bought for 92,000 pounds as a yearling.

With this success, Donnacha O'Brien closed the gap on Colin Keane in the race to be crowned champion jockey, with the score now 95-91.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

1st
13/8JFav
Tote €2.50 €1.30
2nd
2.5L
13/8JFav
€1.10
3rd
shd
8/1
€2.40
4th
nk
40/1
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.