Galway Races: Dunum delivers in Mile Handicap for Seamie Heffernan and Natalia Lupini
Not that sharpest away but quickly to the front nonetheless in the hands of 53-year-old veteran jockey Seamie Heffernan, the Natalia Lupini-trained was pressed all the way through the final furlong by Bear Profit.
The 12-1 winner would not give way, however, as he made it three career wins at the Ballybrit festival.
Dunum (8/1) held off the challenge of Bear Profit to win the feature Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap by a nose
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Lupini said: "We couldn't dismiss Galway and have been working towards both this race and the Ahonoora on Sunday. He did well today and Seamie is a great asset for a small yard like ours. Having a jockey of his calibre is a massive help.
"The horse usually jumps out smart, Seamie wasn't going to give away his position and the horse enjoyed himself. He loves the downhill run into the dip and he battled well towards the line.
"We'll see how he is at home, but hopefully he'll also run in the Ahonoora."
"I am running out of time so it was nice to win it" said 53-year-old jockey Seamie Heffernan after clinching the Mile Handicap for the first time
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Joe Murphy and Gary Carroll have a big day booked at Goodwood on Thursday and warmed up in style with a runaway success for Pivotal Attack in the Colm Quinn BMW Irish EBF Fillies Maiden.
The trainer-jockey combination will team up with Royal Ascot heroine Cercene in the Nassau Stakes and were in the winner's enclosure courtesy of this 9-2 chance, who fairly sprinted by hot favourite Amelia Earhart when asked.
Murphy said: "Our filly was very professional, she relaxed and when he asked her, she quickened. I think we have a nice filly going forward.
"I don't know where we'll go next, but the curve will be upwards anyway. I don't know the calibre of race it was and the O'Brien-horse (Amelia Earhart) was a bit unlucky, but it was the way our filly did it – she did it very well.
"She is out of a Pivotal mare and we think she is stakes class."
Ricky Doyle has an appropriately named winner of the opening race on Day 2 with Cormac Farrell's Sticktotheplan (22/1)
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 29, 2025
Cormac Farrell's Sticktotheplan was sent off the 22-1 outsider of the seven-runner Colm Quinn BMW Novice Hurdle but shot through against the rail to win in good style.
The Willie Mullins pair of Vicar Street and La Note Verte seemed sure to fight out the finish approaching the last but the race changed drastically in complexion.
Emily Love was challenging, as was Timeless Treaty, but it was Sticktotheplan and Ricky Doyle who quickened up best of all to win by two and a quarter lengths.
"We fancied him and had a few quid on as we've always thought he was a very smart horse. It has taken time for the penny to drop and to race correctly. His jumping has come together and he has a huge future," said Farrell.
"I tried to sell him on several occasions but nobody would buy him so I'm delighted, as I'll be properly paid for him at some stage! I'm a big fan and he is a very exciting horse. He is a fine horse and that ground is as good as he'd want.
"It is so exciting to be in Galway as we don't get many winners so to have a nice horse to run in a Listed race is great."
Jack Kennedy won the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase. for Gordon Elliott on King of Kingsfield (7-2) as he continues his successful return to the track this month.
"It's great to be back" - Jack Kennedy is enjoying his return from injury after scoring on King of Kingsfield in the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase.
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— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) July 29, 2025
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