Rachael Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead and Classic Theatre© Photo Healy Racing
Rachael Blackmore and Henry de Bromhead had a day to remember at Tipperary, with Classic Theatre completing a treble for them, a first for Blackmore, in the Packie Downey Memorial Rated Novice Chase.
Successful earlier with Theatre Dreams and Monbeg Chit Chat de Bromhead was in fact completing a four-timer on the day, having also scored at Newton Abbot with Ornua.
Blackmore was recording her 26th success of the season on this daughter of King's Theatre, and she currently leads the jockeys championship, eight clear of Paul Townend and Danny Mullins in second.
An easy winner at Limerick a fortnight ago, Classic Theatre was expected to follow-up this afternoon, going off the 5/4 favourite in the colours of John Lenihan & Colm Browne.
Settled in mid-division, she improved into second from three out, and soon led.
She was ridden and joined by Thirsty Work at the last, and a great battle ensued on the run-in, with just a head separating them at the line.
Thirsty Work was returned an 11/2 chance under Mark Walsh for Jessica Harrington, while the staying-on Consharon Boy (6/1) was another two lengths back in third.
de Bromhead said: "It's been a great day and she battled really well. I don't know if we'd be rushing back to that trip as she seemed to have the race put to bed jumping the second last and I think she may have struggled a bit stamina-wise. I don't think we'll go any further than 2m 4f with her.
"Rachael has been riding brilliant and Monbeg Chit Chat was good; I was worried about the trip but he saw it out well.
"It was Theatre Dreams' last chance as the only thing she did was school well at home and we thought we'd give her one more chance. She had shown good form years ago but it was the last roll of the dice today and in fact her breeder was here with his horsebox! She’s now coming back on the lorry so we'll give her another go.
"Ornua was great and it looked a very good opportunity for him and it was a valuable race and his owners are based in the UK.
"I've had four winners on a day in the past but they don't come around too often."
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards interviewed Rachael Blackmore, rider of Classic Theatre, concerning her use of the whip in closing stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found Rachael Blackmore to be in breach of Regulation 10.3(f) in that she used her whip with excessive frequency and Regulation 10.4 in that she failed to give her mount time to respond to the whip. Having considered her record in this regard, the Stewards suspended Rachael Blackmore for 5 race days and ordered her to attend RACE for 1 days tuition on the correct use of the whip.
Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes
