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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Vallambrosa just prevails in the opener at Fairyhouse

Sun 8th Jul 2018, 14:25

Vallambrosa (nearest) puts her head down while Coral Beach does the opposite Vallambrosa (nearest) puts her head down while Coral Beach does the opposite
© Photo Healy Racing

Vallambrosa just prevailed in the opener at Fairyhouse, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, scoring under Donnacha O'Brien for his brother Joseph and mother Annemarie.

Beaten a neck into second on debut at Limerick, the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor then finished fifth of seven in a Group 3 contest at the Curragh.

Sent off the 6/4 favourite this afternoon, the bay victor went straight to the front.

She was pushed along and went a few lengths clear over a furlong out, however she was reeled-in and strongly pressed in the closing stages by Coral Beach (9/4 to 15/8), with just a nose separating them at the line.

The Aidan O'Brien trained runner-up came with what looked a winning run inside the final furlong, but a high head carriage certainly didn't help her cause.

The front pair went three and a quarter lengths clear of newcomer Chocolate Music in third.

Donnacha O'Brien said afterwards: "I think Seamie headed me but she put her head down the last 50 yards and kept trying. She had more experience than most of them and has a good attitude so there was no point in taking her back too much.

"I think when she goes seven and maybe a mile she'll be better again."

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

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.