BLOW By Blow, one of three representatives in the Thurles Racecourse Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle for Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown House Stud, gave Rachael Blackmore her first Grade 3 success at Thurles.
The 7/1 shot had finished down the field in Grade 1 company behind Next Destination at Naas last time. However, Gordon Elliott’s charge looked a different proposition here in asserting before the final obstacle where Roaring Bull fell to lead home a one-two for the stable by 14 lengths from Gun Digger. The favourite Not Many Left, subsequently found to be post race normal, finished third.
The fact that this was also the rider’s first winner for Elliott from five rides made the occasion doubly memorable and prompted the Meath trainer to comment: “She rides out for me once a week and herself and Lisa (O’Neill) are great girls. We’re lucky to have a good bunch of lady riders with Nina (Carberry) and Katie (Walsh) as well.
“This horse has plenty of ability, and Rachael got a good tune out of him. He’ll go to Cheltenham where he’s in the Martin Pipe and the Albert Bartlett.”
DOUBLE
The trainer doubled up via the same owner’s 5/2 favourite Sir Carno who hit the front for Jack Kennedy in the three-mile plus Thurles Handicap Hurdle between the last two to win readily by a 14-length margin from Undressed, despite bunny-hopping the last.
Elliott said:. “I was a bit worried about the extended three miles today, but the step-up definitely suited him.”
Gerry McGrath’s well-bred performer Jett won his second race over fences over the same course and distance for the Jessica Harrington yard when capturing the Thurles Racecourse Supporters Club Rated Chase.
Sent off the 11/10 favourite, the half-brother to Jezki took it up under Robbie Power before the home turn and was being pressed by Goulane Chosen when the latter made a shuddering mistake at the last.
Jett took full advantage to master his rival by four and a quarter lengths, with a further 21 lengths back to Westerner Point in third. Mrs Harrington observed: “He deserved that because he’s been running in graded company.
“When I saw the entries, I knew there was going to be a good pace on but he’d be better on better ground. He’ll go two and a half to two miles five furlongs and he’s in at Cheltenham in the two and a half mile novice handicap, but we’ll see.”
Youcantcallherthat came up trumps for trainer/jockey Denis Hogan and the six-member Lostwelton Syndicate from Monivea when defying top-weight in a casualty-stricken Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Novice Chase with her six-length defeat of market leader Magic Of Light.
support
The mare’s owners gave the 12/1 shot plenty of vocal support from the stands and Hogan remarked: “They’re a great bunch of lads and that’s what she is, a proper staying mare. That’s her job over three miles and I shouldn’t have run her over two in Naas last time, but the lads got a notion to enter her. She’ll probably go for the Grade 2 Charleville Cheese Mares Chase at Limerick on Paddy’s weekend.
“She was unlucky in a graded race here last month when she clouted the second last and Davy (Russell) did wonders to stay on her and she shouldn’t have been the price she was on that form. They’ll have a lot of fun with her in staying handicaps next year.”
Stable-companion Moskovite, who was successful in a Killeagh point-to-point first time out last month, looked a very smart prospect when following up for the Cloughjordan trainer in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Flat Race.
Sporting the colours of her Castlebar owner/breeder Rob Hennelly who plays in goal for the Mayo footballers, the 2/1 favourite was pushed out by Patrick Mullins to take Western Victory’s measure by two and three-quarter lengths.
“I was under a lot of pressure for most of the day because there was a lot of talk about Colin’s mare (Western Victory),” commented Hogan who rates the Flemensfirth mare highly. “This one has more gears and pace and she’s going to be very good.
“We have her unrace sister at home. Since Rob came to us in May, he’s had a couple of winners. The chances are she’s going to be sold and she could go to Cheltenham Festival Sale.”
CONTENT
Massey’s Wood, an impressive bumper winner for his owner Barry Connell and trainer Alan Fleming, got back on the winning trail at odds of 100/30 in the three-mile Killinan Maiden Hurdle. Keeping company with the odds-on favourite Castlebrook for the first half of the journey, Denis O’Regan’s mount went to the front after three out and came away from the final flight the quicker to beat The Conditional by two lengths.
The hot-pot finished 20 lengths away in third and was reported to be blowing hard when examined at the request of the stewards.
Fleming commented: “Denis said he’d like a bit of better ground. I’m sure chases will be where his future lies. ”
gold cup
Analyse That won his second race since November 2011 for his Shanakill owner/trainer Sean Aherne when coming good for the unrelated Sheila Ahern in the www.thurlesraces.ie (Ladies Pro/Am) 80-102 Handicap Hurdle.
Never out of the first two, the 8/1 chance hit the front before the turn-in and had the race sewn up at the last hurdle where Punches Pious blundered to score by six and a half lengths from Hughies Bay.
Aherne said: “Today was his Gold Cup! He couldn’t go any lower in the handicap and the race was made for the likes of him. Sheila rides him all the time and knows him well.”
Suspension
Nick Lost’s rider Dylan Robinson picked up a one-day whip ban in the fifth race.
ACTING STEWARDS
J. Murphy, Mrs M.A. Onions, P. McLernon, L. Walsh.
HORSE TO FOLLOW
WESTERN VICTORY (C. Bowe): This point-to-point winner should be worth following, whatever route she takes after making the frame in a bumper and a decent maiden hurdle.