ATTHERACES.COM

CHAMPION I.N.H. FLAT

RACE (GRADE 1)

A PERFORMANCE that contained class and courage in equal measure enabled Blow By Blow to end his season on a high and stamp himself an excellent prospect for the coming years as he gave jockey Katie Walsh the first Grade 1 of her career in the Attheraces.com Champion I.N.H. Flat Race.

The Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding formed part of a four strong challenge on the race by Willie Mullins and was allowed to go off at 14/1.

However, wins at Navan and especially Fairyhouse had hinted that this son of Robin Des Champs was one of major potential and he duly reinforced that view to account for last year’s Cheltenham bumper winner, Moon Racer.

Blow By Blow, aboard whom Katie Walsh replaced Sonny Carey when Battleford was scratched, made all the running and particularly impressive was the response he produced in the straight. At this stage he had managed to beat off a number of his rivals but when Moon Racer surged into a challenging position it seemed that Blow By Blow might have to give best.

In truth though, the Mullins inmate was only idling in front and he kept pulling out more to remain in front, eventually crossing the line three parts of a length ahead of Moon Racer.

The latter was making his first appearance since his Cheltenham heroics 13 months previously and was produced in tremendous shape by David Pipe. The remainder of the placings were dominated by the Mullins team with Bacardys, Very Much So and Avenir D’Une Vie finishing third, fourth and fifth.

“He must be a fair stayer to do what he did. I was wondering if he had gone too fast and then I thought Moon Racer was coming to beat him but Katie was both very good and very strong on him,” commented Mullins.

“He’s a galloper and looks every inch a chaser but I imagine that we’ll be going novice hurdling with him next season. Being a Robin Des Champs he seemed to improve on the better ground.”