‘Emperor’ waltzes to victory to upset odds for McDonogh
DECLAN McDONOGH took the riding honours at Killarney yesterday with a 135/1 double.
Having landed the opening race on Zamroudpour (3/1) for Dermot Weld, the jockey later led home a one-two for trainer John Murphy, with Emperor Waltz springing a huge upset at 33/1 in the 2m 1f handicap, with 2/5 favourite Scarpeta finishing only fourth.
The winner made sustained headway to claim the spoils from stablemate Nelson Road (16/1).
Brazos proved strongest at the business end of the Portwest Killarney Race, Shane Foley driving him home by three parts of a length at 2/1. Constancio (9/4) got up for second from 6/4 favourite Law Girl which couldn’t match the winner in the final furlong.
Declan Coakley guided Total Demolition from last to first to win the Dublin Coach Handicap at 14/1.
The winner completely missed the kick and gave the opposition a start of more than five lengths. Coakley didn’t panic, however, and soon tacked his mount onto the tail of the field.
It was hard to see the partnership winning two furlongs out as they were well behind, but the six-year-old soon started to wind up his challenge on the outside.
Total Demolition had progressed to fifth by the furlong pole and he flew home to get up in the final strides to prevail by half a length from Paved With Gold (14/1). Perdisnap was a head further way in third at 25/1.
Cross-channel, Timmy Murphy announced his retirement after booting home Happy Escape to win on the f lat at Chepstow.
During his lengthy National Hunt career, the 43-year-old won the Aintree Grand National on Comply Or Die in 2008 and had well over 1,000 winners in that sphere.
Meanwhile, ASTHURIA can take advantage of a drop in class when she contests the Panoramic Restaurant Handicap Chase over two miles at Punchestown today.
Willie Mullins’ charge outran her 20/1 odds when third in the Grade One Ryanair Novice Chase over course and distance last month behind Footpad.
Mullins’ ROBIN DES FORET isa tough sort which will take plenty of beating in the La Touche Restaurant Novice Chase, while Noel Meade could maintain his rich form with GLENWOOD FOR EVER in the three-mile handicap chase.