Thurles Results Thu, 23rd Feb, 2017

See also » Soldier's stamina wins the day
He is making good progress and while he made heavy weather of it, once Ruby made up his mind for him he made nice progress,. We'll stick in the staying division. I don't think any horse is happy on that ground today - it's tough to race on. He's a horse who never shows me much at home but he obviously has a lot more in the locker than he lets on to have. But I like horses who improve unexpectedly and he's one of those. He wants a trip and 2m4f is as short as he wants - he seems to go on that ground but maybe he wants it better. I'll probably keep him at home and look for a staying novice. W P Mullins, trainer

D.J. Mullins, rider of Black Key (GB) trained by Henry de Bromhead, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung to the right during this race.

A novice hurdle race for five yrs old and upwards
Weights - 5-y-o 10st 12lb; 6-y-o and up 11st; Mares allowed 7lb
Penalties - (handicaps excluded) Winner of two hurdle races 3lb extra; Of three hurdle races or a Grade 3 hurdle race 6lb extra; Of two Grade 3 hurdle races or a Grade 2 hurdle race 8lb extra; Of a Grade 1 hurdle race 10lb extra;