18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Harty off the mark for new flat season

Midnight Fire (maroon and white), chases in fourth placeMidnight Fire (maroon and white), chases in fourth place
© Photo Healy Racing

Midnight Fire returned to action with a win at Leopardstown today as the Mark Gallagher-partnered gelding was all-out for a neck win in the Killiney Handicap.

The son of Mayson won a Curragh maiden last September and today on his first start of the year, held on to defeat fast-finishing and unlucky-in-running runner-up Golden Valour

Afterwards winning trainer Eddie Harty stated “I’m still not convinced about seven (furlongs, today's distance). He’s shaped over the winter like he’ll be a seven horse but lately I’m thinking a stiff six is probably his ideal.

“There is a six furlongs race in Naas (April 26) but we might just wait now.”

Captain Cee Bee's trainer added “it’s always nice to get a winner early in the season. They have been running well since the start but winners are what counts.

“Winners are hard come by in Ireland and I’ll take what I get.”

Quotes from Alan Magee

1st
11/1
Tote €16.60 €2.10
2nd
nk
11/1
€3.80
3rd
nk
8/1
€2.20
4th
0.75L
10/1
€2.40
bf
1.5L
10/3Fav
About Tom Weekes
A lifelong racing fan, Tom began writing point to point reports in 2002 and has reported for irishracing.com since 2003, when he joined Irish Racing Services - since taken over by the Press Association. Has ridden a point to point winner and won the 2018 Irish Field Naps Table.