Michael’s Pick continued the good run from the Ciaran Murphy stable by running out the 8/1 winner of the Boardsmill Sires Maiden Hunters Steeplechase on Sunday at Downpatrick, registering an across the card double for the Westmeath trainer.
The Ciaran Murphy trained Michael’s Pick landed the dramatic finish under a strong ride from the talented rider Timmy Love to get up on the line to score by a short head to Handy Headon who was back in second place.
The 8/1 chance never looked the likely winner after making a mistake three out where he looked as though he had thrown away his chances at this point. However, the eight-year-old son of presenting found plenty under pressure and stayed on strongly to get up on the line in the dying strides.
Faith Loving who was sent off the 6/4 favourite on the day was eight lengths back in third and was no match for the two outsiders ahead of him. The son of Ballingarry jumped into contention approaching the last where he made a slight mistake and had no more to offer up the infamous Downpatrick Hill.
Victory for Michael’s Pick was his first under rules for owner Dot Love. The son of Presenting had previously won two point-to-points, breaking his maiden tag at Tinahely in November 2020. He then went on to score in the Open at Tattersalls in May 2021. All three career wins were under the guidance of regular rider Timmy Love.
Dot Love, assistant trainer, and grandmother of the winning rider, stated that "For him the ground went better and better, it was really what he likes. He loves the top of the ground. He's not as fast as he thinks he is but it helped him a lot today.”
"Timmy gave him some ride and he is a great jumper. It is lovely to come out on the right side of a photograph, it has often been the other way.”
"He likes it here and he likes all that kind of cross-country stuff. He does everything, he is a natural."
Ciaran recorded his second winner of the day across the country at Belclare, taking the Altruistic at Rosshill Farm four-year-old Maiden with Deep Cave. Ciaran’s brother Aaron Murphy was aboard.
