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Donal Murphy

Donal Murphy

Well backed Spring takes the bumper

Sun 12th Aug 2012, 18:24

Return Spring is driven out by Declan Lavery from Dubh Go Leir a long way back in secondReturn Spring is driven out by Declan Lavery from Dubh Go Leir a long way back in second
© Photo Healy Racing

Mag Mullins and Declan Lavery combined to take the last at Downpatrick this afternoon, the Magnificent Seven Bumper, with the 7/2 shot (backed from 11/2 on-course) Return Spring

The 5yo son of Vinnie Roe finished a decent third on his debut behind Elsie at Punchestown in May but disappointed at Clonmel last time out when sent off favourite in the race won by Gold Bullet.

The bay gelding tracked the leaders early on and improving to dispute the lead three furlongs from home.

He was ridden to lead under two furlong out before staying on strongly in the final furlong to record an easy sixteen length win.

The Kevin O’Donnell trained 4/5 favourite Dubh Go Leir had to settle for second under Patrick Mullins while Swansita was a further twenty-one lengths back in third under Johnny King for Andy Oliver at 18/1.

Winning trainer Mag Mullins said afterwards: "He had a lovely first run but then he disappointed the second time. Maybe I went back to quickly with him but Declan (Lavery) said to rule that run out.

"We came here looking for good ground but it ended up soft. He jumps really well and is from a good jumping pedigree. Declan gave him a lovely ride.

"Peter Magnier is great owners and we’ve a couple of young horses owned by him in the yard."

(On-course reporting by Michael Graham)

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.