Fiery heartbreak for Dobbs

Prunella Dobbs suffered the highs and lows of jumps racing at Ballinrobe on Monday.

The County Wicklow trainer endured the distress of Kicking King’s half-brother Fiery Lord sustaining a fatal fall at the fourth-last flight in the www.thetote.com Handicap Hurdle.

Then an hour later she had the much-needed tonic of a winner in the shape of Farringdon in the www.thetote.com Chase.

Reflecting on a day of mixed fortunes, she said: “I’m afraid Fiery Lord broke his shoulder and had to be put down.

“It was a devastating blow for us because I think I had him absolutely right yesterday.

“These things happen and you’ve just got to grit your teeth and move on.”

That is what she did when putting the finishing touches to Farringdon’s bid to open his account over fences.

“When Andrew McNamara (jockey) came into the ring before the race we were just standing there flat-footed,” she went on.

“I just said ’go out there and make us a bit happier’ and he did.

“It was a very good performance and it was only his second run over fences. It was a good race and he jumped very well. He’s got so much ability. It was great.

“He’s been so consistent. He’s been beaten but he’s always been in the frame.

“We’ll have a think, but we may go for a novice, probably a winner of one, but we haven’t mapped it out yet.”

The seven-year-old gelding, owned by Peter Savill and who began his career with Marcus Tregoning, has now won on the Flat, over hurdles and over fences.