RACE REPORT

Meeting: Punchestown

Date: 16/11/03

Going: good to yielding

Winnings: €30,550 (£21,287)

Race: Mongey Communications Morgiana Hurdle, Grade 2

Distance: 2m

1st

 Back In Front

 4/5f

11.11

2nd

 Sacundai

 12/1

12.0 

3rd

Solerina

 5/1

11.6

Distances: 1½, 1

Time: 3m 50.40s (slow 3.40s)

Ran: 9

Trainer: E J O' Grady

Jockey: B J Geraghty

Owner: D Cox

 No shortage of talking points in a race that panned out well to provide a personnel triumph for Edward O'Grady. Such an eventuality looked unlikely when Back In Front, who made a mistake at the second last, seemed to be struggling before producing a rallying effort from the final flight to take the initiative. O'Grady said, "To be honest, when they turned in I was beginning to resign myself that it was not going to be Back In Front's day, but Barry (Geraghty) said that all he needed was a wake-up call. I was delighted with the way he battled to the end, and I hope that's going to be the hallmark of his career."
While this was some way off the level of form that will be required for a Champion Hurdle bid, it is early days and O'Grady stressed that he regards Back In Front essentially a spring horse.

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