3 from the right Gua Du Large and Rachael Blackmore clear the last© Photo Healy Racing
Half-an-hour on from the brilliance of Honeysuckle again in the Hatton’s Grace, there was further Fairyhouse joy for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore in the Grade A BARONERACING.COM Handicap Hurdle with 25/1 chance Gua Du Large
This Robcour-owned youngster seemed to benefit from the addition of a tongue-strap, after being pulled up at Down Royal on his previous appearance 29 days back.
Typically many still held chances over the closing couple of hurdles in this two miler, and Gua Du Large eventually got the better of the J P McManus and Gordon Elliott pair, Glan and Magic Tricks by a neck and a length and three parts.
"He was really disappointing in Down Royal - it was really heavy and I think he struggled on the ground, I think. We didn't really know what happened to be honest and he couldn't even finish,” said de Bromhead.
"We put a tongue-tie on him today and that might have made a huge difference but I'd say ground and it being his first run, caught him out the last day.
"We said we'd have another go here and he got all the breaks and everything went right for him. It is great for Robcour and it was an amazing ride. It has been an incredible half an hour"
He added "Rachael is brilliant and is so tough.
"She was in a wheelchair straight after her injury and everyone thought she would come back for today. But I rang her after a couple of weeks and suddenly she was on crutches and the speed of her recovery was incredible.
"You'd ring her and she'd be off walking in the sea - that's what really successful sports people do."
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Eclair De Beaufeu (FR), trained by Gordon Elliott, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
The Stewards requested a report from Henry de Bromhead, trainer as to the apparent improvement in form of Gua Du Large (FR), placed first, as compared with its most recent run in Down Royal on the 30th Oct '21 where he pulled up. Henry de Bromhead reported that the far better ground today along with the first time application of a tongue tie may have brought about the apparent improvement on form. Having considered the evidence the Stewards noted the explanation offered.
At the request of the Stewards, J.S. McGarvey, rider of Glens Of Antrim trained by W.P. Mullins, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount made a bad mistake at the second last which finished his chance.
(TW & EM)
