Zaidpour thrives in John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle
Zaidpour outperformed the high profile mare, Voler La Vedette to take victory in the Grade 2 John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle, held at Gowran Park on Thursday, January 26, 2012.
The six-year-old was sent at 11 to 8 - the second highest odds in the competition after, Voler La Vedette.
C. A. Murphy’s trained mare was the favourite to finish first, however, she was outclassed by Willie Mullins' horse.
Zaidpour displayed an excellent show all the way through, beating the favourite by a margin of one length.
Ruby Walsh dictated the pace, and exhibited a superb show on the final circuit of the three-mile clash.
Voler La Vedette secured second position, while Chicago Grey (25-1), Whatuthink (50-1) and Benash (40-1) finished third, fourth and fifth on the table, respectively.
On Zaidpour convincing win against Voler La Vedette, Walsh said: "I didn't know whether to go slow in front or follow her. I'd given her a lead the last twice and she swept past and I thought she might do the same again. It was clear at the start
no-one was going to make it (the running), so I sauntered along in front. He just loves soft ground - you couldn't have it soft enough for him."
Voler La Vedette was earlier set to run at Leopardstown this Sunday, but at the eleventh hour her connections decided to take the eight-year-old to Gowran Park.
The trainer, Colm Murphy argued that since the conditions were likely to be dry at Leopardstown, the management preferred the three-mile contest.
Voler La Vedette was expected to give a cracking performance, however, the luck didn’t favour the mare.
Zaidpour appeared as the star of the show, and his trainer, Mullins was delighted with his horse’s good run.
He also admired Walsh’s strategy on the racecourse. Talking about Zaidpour’s next race, the trainer refrained from giving a clear answer.
The veteran trainer added, “I don't know where he'll go at Cheltenham, the Champion or the World Hurdle. Today's race wasn't a trial for either race as they went no gallop but his connections would like to run at Cheltenham. That's his ground."
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