Jason The Militant and Billy Lee assert© Photo Healy Racing
Grade Two jumping honours were secured for the stable yesterday at Down Royal with the brilliant Envoi Allen, and today Henry de Bromhead took the final Listed race of the 2021 Flat turf campaign as Jason The Militant justified favouritism in the Finale Stakes.
This Naas near mile and a half heat saw Jason The Militant attempt to build on a previous win on the level, which came 395 days back.
With fitness assured after a hurdles outing 28 days ago, the Billy Lee-ridden 100/30 market-leader (from 9/2 on track and bigger earlier) was there to be shot at for much of the straight.
Three-year-old filly Azallya finished off well, but she had every chance, and was still half a length down at the line.
“I'm delighted for Peter (Michael, owner/breeder) and Billy gave him a super ride,” said de Bromhead.
“They are his conditions, he loves that ground. I'm really happy for Peter who is a great supporter of ours.
“He's in the Morgiana so that would be a nice piece of work for that!
“We promised each other, and we already broke it in Tipperary even though there was an ease in the ground, that we'd keep him to soft to heavy ground and we're going to really focus on that this year.
“He gets sore on better ground, certainly jumping anyway, I don't know if that will relate as much on the Flat.”
Following a request from broadcasters, the Stewards granted permission for the start of this race to be delayed by 3 minutes.
N.M. Crosse, rider of Maybe Today (GB) trained by P.F.McEnery, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount hung in left during this race.
D. McMonagle, rider of The Blue Brilliant trained by Mrs John Harrington, reported to the Clerk of Scales that his mount received a little bump about one and a half furlongs from the finish.
(GC & EM)
