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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Flaxen Flare signals his intent

Sun 25th Aug 2013, 14:48

Flaxen Flare and Davy Condon in CorkFlaxen Flare and Davy Condon in Cork
© Photo Healy Racing

Galway Hurdle runner-up Flaxen Flare had no difficulty in landing the odds of 1/9 in the corkracecourse.ie Hurdle over two miles.

The four-year-old in the blinkers only faced two rivals – Massini’s Trap and Choisilady – and never came off the bridle in winning the 8,970 euro first prize.

Choisilady, the 33/1 outsider, took the small field along with Flaxen Flare settled just off her in second and a break then to Massini’s Trap.

Flaxen Flare then jumped into the lead at the third last and cantered away from her rivals. Ruby Walsh drove Massini’s Trap into second, but a slick jump at the last from the favourite enabled Davy Condon to look over his shoulder as his charge strolled home.

Walsh kept at Massini’s Trap (6/1) and the pair closed to within a length, however, they were never on terms.

Successful trainer Gordon Elliott said: “It was an ideal race for him and he jumped around nice and safe.

“He’ll have a little break and come back for the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot in October/November time. We might find a little flat race for him as well.”

Elliott won last year’s renewal of the Listed Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot in December with 25/1 shot Cause Of Causes.

Flaxen Flare won the Grade 3 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

This was Elliott’s ninth winner from his last 19 runners.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.