Blackmore the Queen in Premier Having finished second in the previous heat on Moorland, Rachael Blackmore came together with her long time ally John 'Shark' Hanlon to take the spoils in the Premier County Handicap Hurdle at Thurles with 5/1 favourite Summer Storm. A second winner on this card to have competed at Cork last Sunday, after Shouband in race two, Summer Storm had to be tough to gain the day. Bred and a winner for the Queen in his days with Nicky Henderson, Summer Storm may give a flick of his tail but he had to display commendable resolution from the second last to fend off Kansas Kid. That fellow had come there looking a winner in the straight under David Mullins, but he eventually had to yield by a neck after a good battle. "That's as good a ride as Rachael ever gave a horse. He was sold to a new syndicate from Athlone this morning, and I told them he would win," was Hanlon's summation in the aftermath. "He's in again at Clonmel next Thursday, and will probably run again. He's as tough a horse as I've had, and will make a lovely chaser down the road." (AM & EM)
