NATHANIEL LACY &

PARTNERS SOLICITORS

NOVICE HURDLE

(GRADE 1)

AS the only maiden in the field and the 25/1 rank outsider of the seven runners, Tower Bridge faced a daunting assignment in the first of the weekend’s Grade 1s but he rose to the challenge at hand in fine style.

For both Joseph O’Brien and J.J. Slevin this was a first Grade 1 triumph in Ireland and for the J.P. McManus-owned Tower Bridge this represented a career high by some distance. A distinctly promising dual bumper winner in the summer, the son of High Chaparral made no impact on his jumping debut before turning in a much more positive effort when taking fourth in a maiden here at Christmas.

WORK

Even so, Tower Bridge looked to have his work cut out against some decent staying novices.

The race itself went smoothly for the winner who looked on from the rear for most of the race but he was firmly in contention when the field bunched up with two to jump. When the well-backed favourite Fabulous Saga dropped out before the last, there were still five in contention and initially it was Jetz who came away from the last in the lead.

The Slevin-ridden Tower Bridge was in the process of unwinding with a powerful surge on the outer and, in a bobbing finish, the outsider succeeded by a head, with Carter McKay two and a half lengths back in third.

MARVELLOUS RIDE

“He got a marvellous ride from J.J., he quickened up well after the second last and then kept galloping to the line,” remarked the winning trainer.

“He was a good bumper horse in the summer but everything just came as a shock to him the first day over hurdles.

“He was much better last time though when Barry felt he’d have no problem going further.”

“To be honest, we were hoping he’d pick up some prize money and then we’d go back and win a maiden hurdle in a few weeks, but it’s great he’s won and he jumped well apart from missing the first. I’d hope better ground will suit him ever better and we’ll just see how he comes out of this before making plans,” added O’Brien.

Jessica Harrington reported herself delighted with the efforts of the runner-up who will now have Fairyhouse and Punchestown on his agenda.

If the winner is to head to Cheltenham it will be the Ballymore Novices Hurdle as that is currently his only engagement at Prestbury Park.

The race sponsors have once again put up a €50,000 bonus for which Joseph O’Brien’s stable staff will be eligible if Tower Bridge goes on to win at Cheltenham.