THE Willie Mullins-trained Blizzard Of Oz (11/8) picked an opportune time to open his account over fences, outgunning Rocky’s Diamond (1/1 favourite) in the feature Michael Hickey Memorial Chase.
Stalking the market leader in second approaching the straight, the Paul Townend-ridden victor needed to pull out all the stops on the run-in, ultimately prevailing by three quarters of a length.
The front pair drew 17 lengths clear of the third in this listed heat, with just four lining up after three early defections.
“We’re delighted with him. It was a good performance as the second horse is a very good horse,” Daryl Jacob, representing owners Simon Munir and Isaac Souede, commented.
“He is rated 147 and is a second-season novice, so we’re looking forward to having a nice year with him. Today was an important day and I think he’ll come on an awful lot for the experience.”
Head-to-head
Mullins and Townend had to settle for minor honours in the racingtv.com Free Month Trial Beginners Chase, with their Tullyhill beaten into second by Fleur In The Park.
Sent off the 11/10 joint-favourites, the pair went head-to-head approaching the straight, with the Cian Quirke-ridden victor gaining the upper hand after two out and while not fluent over the last, he still eased to an eight-length win in the colours of Margaret O’Rourke.
“He was only about 80% fit in Gowran the last day. He cantered down to the third-last there and just blew up. We knew he’d improved a lot,” winning trainer Andy Slattery revealed. “We always thought he’d be better over fences and hopefully he will be.”
FRESH from completing a treble and double less than 24 hours earlier, Sean O’Keeffe and Paul Nolan rounded off a highly productive period by claiming the opening William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle with debutant Sageborough (20/1). Leading home a 1-3 for Nolan and owners the Browne & Coffey families, the successful son of Martinborough came with his challenge from the last and swept by Luker’s Tipple (2/1 joint-favourite) on the run-in, with two and a half lengths between them on crossing the line.
“We always thought a bit of him; he always did things very easy,” Nolan remarked. “Sean said that even after jumping the second it felt like he mightn’t be too bad and I hope he is right.”
Local luck
There was further joy for locals in the Slaney View Honda Handicap Hurdle, with Bannow Blaze justifying 10/3 favouritism in this extended two-mile heat.
Trained by Jonathan Fogarty, ridden by Eoin Staples and owned by the Zero Three Champs Syndicate, the grey son of Lucky Speed came with his challenge between horses approaching the straight and soon led. While not fluent two out, he was ridden and kept on well in the closing stages, ultimately holding off the effort of Club Manager by two and a quarter lengths.
“That was brilliant, the owners are local to me at home. I’m only 15 minutes from here and they are not too much further. Johnny and Mikey Fogarty are only a stone’s throw away from me at home as well and I got a good kick out of that,” Staples enthused.
“He was probably unlucky not to get his head in front a couple of times. He had a few consistent efforts and deserved to win today.”
Jumping debut
Another favourite did the needful in the Racing TV Free Trial For A Month Maiden Hurdle, with Ring Of Kerry (6/4 favourite from 5/2) striking on his first start over flights. Settled in mid-division by Danny Gilligan, the Affinisea five-year-old took closer order from four out and improved into a narrow lead from the penultimate obstacle. Pushed along from the last, he extended his advantage in the closing stages and was a length and a quarter clear of King’s Son on crossing the line. “He done it well, he is a chaser in the making really. He is a big horse and is about 17 hands,” winning trainer Cian Collins reported.
“He is one for the future and we won’t over-race him this season. We’ll look after him and strengthen him up again. My uncle Noel bred him and we sold him at the Aintree Sale to new owners (the Matou Pan Partnership). It’s nice to get them into the yard.”
HAVING belatedly making the breakthrough on his 29th start at Killarney earlier in the month, Rock Ya Boy Ya has gone from strength to strength since and completed a hat-trick in the Start Your Free Trial On Racing TV Now Rated Novice Hurdle.
With promising conditional Alix Balfe again on board, the Red Jazz seven-year-old was as short as 9/4 in early shows for this seven-runner contest, drifting markedly to a starting price of 6/1.
Racing mainly in second, the Francis Casey-trained bay improved to dispute the lead from four out and travelled best to gain an outright advantage approaching the penultimate flight. Soon asserting when ridden, he was eventually eased to a four-length win.
“It’s unreal, it took him so long to win one and now he is after winning three,” Casey, who trains the winner for his mother Junie, enthused.
“He has a little cut on his leg and I’ll see what way it is before making a plan.”
A field of seven also faced the starter for the concluding Thank You To All Our Sponsors & Supporters In 2025 (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race, with Minella Jury coming out on top.
Owned and trained by John Nallen, the 7/1 chance was ridden to challenge the 10/11 favourite Riskaway with over a furlong to go. The pair had a lengthy tussle from there, with the Adam Ryan-ridden victor outstaying the market leader to prevail by a short head.
“He’s a good horse and has a good pedigree,” said Nallen. “Hopefully I’ll sell him on now, but I wouldn’t mind running him over hurdles.”