Naturally Blond is a highlight for Cronin On his first run since last August, 40/1 chance Naturally Blond was an emphatic winner of the Dawn Hi Lo Handicap Hurdle (Div I). The 11-year-old gelding by Bach, who was only 8/1 overnight, was prominent throughout and quickly recovered from a bad mistake three out to come home seven and a half lengths in front of Finding Joy (20/1). There was a lot of market support for Dreamy Leamy (25s this morning into 3/1 favourite) but he could manage only fifth place. It was a first win in three years for Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount, but he had been beaten just a short head at Tramore last summer. He’s trained in Doneraile by owner/breeder Patrick Cronin who said: “I’m delighted Darragh rode the winner as I travelled a lot with his grandfather Johnny who was a champion point-to-point rider and was also from Doneraile. “He can make mistakes and is a funny old horse. He can come down the gallop at home quicker than he’d go up. He’s a funny horse that way and has a bit of a mind of his own. “He runs well when he’s fresh and we gave him a good break. Darragh beat him in a photo-finish at Tramore last year. “He’s in a beginners’ chase at Tipperary on Sunday but it’s unlikely he’ll run. I’d say after his first run back for a while we’ll wait for another handicap in about a fortnight’s time. “He wouldn’t want to make that kind of mistake over fences. We’ll probably stick with hurdles now that he’s going well. “He’s the only horse that I have in training at the moment. I’ve three or four coming in for the point-to-points so that will give me a bit of a lift.” Quotes from Alan Magee
