Teak-tough Blazing Bailey digs deep to land spoils
“Janet Williamson has been working very hard to get us to come and we could not have been looked after any better”, said King. “My wife and I have had a great time and I will be back with plenty of horses next year.”
Blazing Bailey is a horse who simply doesn’t know when he’s had enough and going to four out appeared to be in big trouble.
But he kept finding, under a determined Choc Thornton, and gradually worked into the contest.
Cooldine, briefly, flattered early in the straight, but it was last year’s winner, Refinement, who was in front heading down to the last.
By now Blazing Bailey was hitting top gear and he landed in front over the flight. When this fellow is in full flow there is no finer sight and he swept clear on the level to score going away by seven lengths.
Refinement battled on for second, with Aitmatov and Cooldine filling the other minor placings. “I was worried it might be one race too many, Choc said he felt flat”, commented King.
“He is just a bloody marvellous horse to train. You can take him anywhere and he will not let you down.
“This is a special day. He’s only six and, as long as he’s competitive in these type of races, will remain over hurdles. There is no hurry with him going over fences.”
Thornton said: “I wasn’t happy from about four out, the ground was slower than I thought, it was nearly soft.
“I didn’t think I’d win until I got going to the last, I was slightly boxed in and in trouble early on.
“His stamina kicked into gear as much as anything and he’s a very hardy horse, who takes his races well. There’s no stopping him when he gets to the front.”
Refinement emerged with great credit and will now be prepared for a tilt at the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Jonjo O’Neill said: “A P (McCoy) thinks that’s the best race she has ever run. She could have done with them going a bit faster, she’s a great mare.”
Noel Meade indicated that Aitmatov didn’t stay and would be dropped down in trip in future. He will not run out in the Champion Hurdle today.
Ruby Walsh took his total for the week to four with a relatively easy success on Irish Invader in the One 51 Handicap Chase.
The seven-year-old had been very disappointing until getting off the mark at Fairyhouse and has clearly come on a lot of late.
He jumped for fun and the well-backed favourite was allowed stride on heading to the fourth last.
From that point Walsh didn’t have to be overly hard on him to beat Callow Lake by two and a half lengths.
Willie Mullins, now well on his way to landing a second trainers’ championship, said: “Jumping is this horse’s forte.
“He certainly had enough experience from all those beginners chases. We will keep him on the go for the summer and will head for the big Festivals.”
Barry Geraghty gave Big Zeb a terrific drive to land the Cathal Ryan Memorial Swordlestown Novice Chase.
J’y Vole and Perce Rock set a furious pace and it was always odds against them being able to maintain it.
Sure enough neither had anything left when Geraghty launched his challenge, powering the winner clear between the final two fences to beat Thyne Again.
“He deserved that, we have been learning about him all year”, remarked trainer, Colm Murphy. “He wasn’t getting home over two miles and five and a fast-run two miles is what he wants.
“He’s still a big baby and will be let off now. We will see where we go next season, he will do all the talking.”
Kalahari King, fourth behind Captain Cee Bee at Cheltenham and third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle at Ayr on Saturday, moved Davy Russell onto the 123-winner mark for the campaign in the Aon Hurdle.
Pushed ahead by Russell going to the final flight, he had no trouble holding Boulavogue and Peplum on the run in.
Trainer, Ferdy Murphy, reported: “The extra half mile made the difference. He’s learning the game well and it’s always nice to get a few euro.
“When Dobbs (Tony Dobbin) rode him at Cheltenham, he said we would be mad not to aim him at the Arkle next season.”
Arthur Moore and Philip Carberry, on the mark with Notable D’Estruval on Wednesday, struck again with Hidden Agent in the Real Estate Alliance Handicap Hurdle.
Gusda was in front over the second last, but Hidden Agent, always prominent, rallied in fine style to grab the leader in the last hundred yards.
Said Moore: “He will be going chasing next season. He had a hard race at Fairyhouse and had every chance of throwing in the towel here.”
Noel Meade’s Go Native, who didn’t look the most enthusiastic when beaten eight lengths by See U Bob at Cork, was a different proposition in the Masterchefs Bumper.
He only had a neck to spare over fast-finishing Lord Over, but that was no indication of his superiority after pilot, Chris Timmons, had taken it particularly easy close home.
The attendance was 17,240, down from 19,858 last year. Betting with the bookmakers was way down on last year, even allowing for the fact there was an extra race then, by €1,144,615.
