The jumps season proper has just got underway here in Ireland and we already have seen some exciting prospects for the season ahead. At the beginning of the month, we saw the consistent and likeable Raya Time get off the mark over hurdles at Clonmel.
This bold front-runner was always going to be popular given a string of placed efforts last season, but this was his first win since joining Henry De Bromhead. The ever-popular Rachel Blackmore had him in front from the get go and the combination put in a near-perfect round to win by a good dozen lengths.
Now that De Bromhead has secured that lucrative and notable first win over hurdles with the six-year-old, the intention is to get him over fences sooner rather than later. He said: “The plan is now to go chasing. We felt that he was entitled to have one last go at a maiden hurdle and it worked out. Subject to confirmation with the owners he will go chasing now and the way he jumps fences at home he ought to do well as a chaser.”
At Gowran Park a few days later, we saw the welcome return of the talented Snow Falcon. He was absolutely friendless in the market and drifted from 5s to 7/1 in the betting. Having absorbed an injury following a win at Down Royal last year, the nine-year-old missed almost six months of action on the track.
In three subsequent starts. including an appearance at Royal Ascot in the Ascot Stakes, he was finishing closer to last than first. Clearly a break over the summer has rekindled that enthusiasm. Trainer Noel Meade said: “He’s very good when he’s fresh. The ground went against him in Ascot and we let him out and I didn’t think there was any possibility he could be ready for this.
Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
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Denne historien er fra November 2019-utgaven av Racing Ahead.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Tragedy Hits Racing Family - Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters
Nick Townsend reels from shock attack on John Hunt's wife and daughters. I will be far from alone in recent days in being overcome by emotions ranging from utter disbelief to revulsion upon hearing of the unspeakable acts perpetrated upon John Hunt's family, resulting in the death of his wife Carol and daughters, Hannah and Louise.
AUDIENCE IS ERUPTING
John Anthony reveals the latest top speedsters after another Glorious Goodwood
HORSE OF A LIFETIME
Graham Buddry pays fresh tribute to track legend Sea The Stars - surely one of the greatest ever
IT'S TIME TO TAKE STOCK
Paul Jacobs looks forward to seeing some big on-track questions answered
PLAYING TO THE WHISTLE
lan Heitman flies about to keep pace with a rush of two-year-old Flat action
WINNING JOY ON A BUDGET
Richard Eagle takes a trip to Windsor to check out peoples' route into the port of kings
GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS
Robert Cooper finds 'retirement' is keeping him busy
FEUD GETS THE PARTY ROLLING
Karl Hedley savours the Galway Festival action and picks out the summer highlights at Ballybrit
ROCKING THE MONEY BAGS
Simon Nott reveals his recent experiences from trips to Brighton and Ascot
FLYING EVE'S BORN TO WIN
Nick Townsend talks to in-form trainer Eve Johnson Houghton