THERE was no luck for Rachael Blackmore on her first ride in the US when she partnered Bedrock in the Grade 1 Lonesome Glory Hurdle at Belmont on Thursday. The gelding, on whom she had won two graded hurdles here last season, is now trained by Leslie Young for owner Irv Naylor, but he was never travelling or jumping well and lost touch well before the home straight.
The race did see some Irish celebrations as Ross Geraghty partnered Surprising Soul to an all-the-way win for trainer Richard Hendriks, coming home clear by three and three quarter lengths from Hinterland and All The Way Jose, winner of the Lonesome Glory in 2017.
Short-priced favourite Winston C encountered some late traffic issues, hitting a beacon nearing the homestretch and finished fourth.
The year’s other Grade 1 winner Scorpiancer, showed little and finished fifth.
The next big meeting is the American Grand National meeting at Far Hills on October 19th for which Wicklow Brave is a likely challenger.
Colin Kidd’s fine servant Rashaan will continue his career in America after being sold.
The seven-year-old gelding beat Apple’s Jade and Petit Mouchoir in a Grade 2 at Down Royal three years ago, had earned over €200,000 over his 42-race career, which included eight hurdle wins, and a Grade 3 novice chase at Galway.
Kidd said: “I felt the time was right for him to move on as he had become too hard to place here. He was too high in the ratings to run in handicaps and he had a 10lb penalty to carry in graded races for winning at Fairyhouse, so we would have had to pitch him into Grade 1s.”