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Alan Magee

Alan Magee

No Looking Back upsets Brazil in Grade 2 feature

Thu 29th Dec 2022, 14:34

No Looking Back (Phillip Enright) leads over the lastNo Looking Back (Phillip Enright) leads over the last
© Photo Healy Racing

The Grade 2 Coolmore NH Sires Kew Gardens Hurdle attracted just two runners and appeared a straight forward affair beforehand but it proved anything but as No Looking Back upset the odds at Limerick. Brazil was sent off the 2/9 favourite and looked rock solid having won at the Cheltenham Festival and also landed a Grade 3 at Naas last time.

However, No Looking Back had done little wrong winning two of his three starts and Phillip Enright decided to track the long odds-on shot until mounting a challenge from two out.

The 3/1 chance quickened up nicely when asked for his effort and despite a slight mistake at the last, kept on well on the run-in to score by two and three-quarter lengths.

Enright said, "I'm surprised but it's brilliant. He was a bit of an unknown after winning in Thurles but is a horse that Oliver and the team have loved.

“Johnny Barry has always thought lots of him and he proved him right today. When I quickened him he picked up over the last, and hopefully he can progress again. He landed running and galloped to the line.

“You'd have to be surprised going from a maiden to open company. Brazil is a fantastic horse as his form has shown.

“It was cat and mouse and I was lucky that I got the lead. That's racing.”

Winning trainer Oliver McKiernan’s assistant Tiego Vidal said, “He’s a half-brother of Unexpected Depth and Oliver got him at the sales.

“He always showed plenty of ability at home. He won a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Thurles and there wasn’t much option for him so we took a chance here.

“He did well and had to dig deep but I hope the boss is very happy with the result.

“He won on good ground twice but he doesn’t seem to mind that ground. I hope he can improve from that and see how far he can go.”

Enright and McKiernan were completing a quick double having also won the novice handicap chase with Difficult Decision

About Alan Magee
Alan has worked in the racing industry for well over 30 years including with the Sporting Life, Turform and Irish Racing Services. He took up his current role as Irish Racing Team Leader with the Press Association in 2013. He has a keen interest in most sports and plays golf.