Soldante (right) arrives to challenge Jolie Coeur Allen© Photo Healy Racing
Tramore's opening 2024 Annual Badge Membership Maiden Hurdle today provided typical winter 'jumping' drama as Soldante (7/1) over-hauled Jolie Coeur Allen to 'gub' in-running supporters of that 2/9 favourite.
Low sun resulted in both hurdles in the home straight being taken away, resulting in a seven minutes delay and just four of eight scheduled jumps being negotiated.
Debuting over hurdles in a hood, Jolie Couer Allen was ambushed in the closing stages by Soldante which powered home to score a half-length success.
The Willie Mullins-trained, J.P. McManus-owned favourite had matched at 1.02 in-running and while she had travelled well for much of the race, emptied inside the final furlong.
Following Soldante's success, winning trainer Ciaran Murphy reported “he had one go at the favourite although Eoin (Walsh, winning jockey) felt he struggled a bit on the ground. He felt it was heavy enough for him.
“He'd see out the two miles well and that was a big help to him today, he is probably a 2m4f horse really.
“I wasn't too happy when they omitted the two hurdles because essentially he is a jumper and those hurdles would have been to his benefit but he got away with it and we are delighted with that performance.
“Eoin just wasn't over happy with the way he travelled on that ground but he showed plenty of resolution to get the job done. His bumper form was strong - he didn't win one and was just a bit unlucky a couple of times. It's grand to win a hurdle.
"The horses are running great, we are delighted with them, they've been running great all year. We try to pick targets along the way and hopefully we will have another few before Christmas."
Quotes from Donal Murphy
