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Purple Mountain takes Grade 3 honours

Purple Mountain Sean O'Keeffe avoid jockey JJ Slevin after his mount San Salvador fell at the last Purple Mountain Sean O'Keeffe avoid jockey JJ Slevin after his mount San Salvador fell at the last
© Photo Healy Racing

Purple Mountain was left clear to land a dramatic Grade 3 Joe Mac Hurdle over two miles in Tipperary.

Hat-trick-seeking San Salvador collared front-running Annie G approaching two out and was soon ridden by JJ Slevin to make the best way home.

He was a couple of lengths in front of a closing Purple Mountain at the last but got it all wrong and crashed out.

Purple Mountain (17/2 from 12/1) was left in charge and she forged on by six lengths. Bonarc stayed on well on the run-in to come through for second at 100/1.

Jockey Sean O’Keeffe said: “I felt I was coming with a good run and with a good jump at the last that I’d beat JJ (Slevin on San Salvador). She was good and brave over the last two.

“She travelled well and when I got stuck into her she found plenty. She’ll have no trouble staying two and a half miles." Arctic Warrior the 5/4 favourite, made serval novicey mistakes and weakened before being pulled up before the final flight.

Additional reporting by Alan Magee

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.