Murphy conjures up another long, long shot as 66-1 Ostraka strikes in Dundalk

“She’s a quality filly, but she’d had a few issues,” explained Murphy, “She’s been working great, but I’m a bit shell-shocked to win a Group 3 with her."

Fri, 25 Oct, 2024 - 17:25

John Ryan

Successful in the race with 25/1 winner Dun Na Sead last year, trainer Danny Murphy struck again in the William Hill Top Price Guarantee Mercury in Dundalk, with another long shot, the 66-1 priced Ostraka.

She was a first Group 3 winner for apprentice James Ryan, who is now one ahead of Wayne Hassett in the apprentice title-race.

The 83-rated filly broke smartly, disputed the lead and saw out the final furlong well enough to hold two-year-old Powerful Nation by a head with joint-favourite Electric Storm faring best of the five British challengers a close third.

“She’s a quality filly, but she’d had a few issues,” explained Murphy, “She’s been working great, but I’m a bit shell-shocked to win a Group 3 with her.

"These sprints are all about the break. I sent James the video of last year’s race and told him to use the same tactics on this filly. She’s a lovely, kind filly and will;be staying around next year – we could travel with her, maybe Dubai in the New Year.”

Ostraka was the second leg of a Friday night double for Murphy, initiated when Declan McDonogh made all to take the five-furlong nursery on Eclairage (12/1).

Johnny Murtagh, whose 5/2 favourite Dakota Blue was narrowly denied by Jack Davison’s Glenderry (Billy Lee) in the two-year-old maiden, had earlier registered a double.

Pascalia (Ben Coen) hung on grimly in the closing stages to take the seven-furlong fillies claimer at the expense of top-weight Catherine Chroi.

And stable apprentice Rory Mulligan recorded his tenth win in Ireland when bringing recent Fairyhouse winner and top-weight Blanc De Noir from last to first to prevail in a blanket-finish to the six-furlong 47-65 handicap, pipping Rattletheonionbag by a short-head.

“It was all very smooth, she’s won three of her last four and will be on the boat tonight to the Newmarket Sales,” stated Andy Oliver after Marble Angel ran out a convincing winner of the seven-furlong apprentice handicap under Jack Kearney.

Earlier, at Sligo’s final meeting of 2024, 154-rated chaser Solness, reverting to the small obstacles, made all under Danny Mullins to land the three-runner Sligo Races Halloween Hurdle for Joseph O’Brien and Bronsan Racing.

The tough six-year-old stayed on dourly to beat Champion Hurdle fifth Colonel Mustard (never nearer) by three lengths, prompting Mullins to comment: “He got into a nice rhythm and jumped well. We went a strong enough gallop and he picked-up well. He’s a good chaser and should have a good dual-purpose season over the winter.”

Arthur Moore acknowledged “I knew he was fit – I’m the main work rider” after Donagh Meyler partnered The Miracle Man (18/1) to land the Sligo Races Punters Handicap Hurdle, making all and digging deep to see off course specialist True Destiny by three-quarters of a length. The six-year-old, previously with Moore and back after a spell with Peter Fahey, was returning after a 139-day break.

Another trainer to savour a welcome win was Ballinrobe man Michael Flannery, who saddled Bowgate Street, runner-up in her last two starts, to take the Queenofthelodge by a half-length.

Josh Williamson guided Henry de Bromhead’s Newtown Rambler, a half-brother to Aintree Grand National victor Corach Rambler, to a gutsy, all-the-way victory in the John Thomas McNamara Series Maiden Hurdle.

The Snow Sky gelding wandered on the run-in before holding Will Wilde by three-quarters of a length, with Caman Eileen a close third, and survived a Stewards Enquiry.

And, after a good tussle for the bumper, Gordon Elliott’s Gigginstown-owned racecourse debutant Ballybow, runner-up in his two point-to-points, found plenty for Harry Swan to foil favourite Coral River.