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Michael Graham

Michael Graham

Largy Hill takes Grade 3 step up in class in his stride

Thu 22nd Feb 2024, 16:07

Largy Hill stays on under Paul TownendLargy Hill stays on under Paul Townend
© Photo Healy Racing

Largy Hill s proven ability over three miles stood him in good stead for a step up in class in the Grade 3 BoyleSports Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle at Thurles.

Paul Townend sent him about his business on the run to the penultimate flight of this extended 2m4f race worth €30,000.

The leader really cranked up the pressure on his rivals between the final two flights but odds-on favourite Staffordshire Knot attempted to close, however, he stuttered into the last in a race in which he put in some novicey jumps.

At this stage, Largy Hill (10/3) had flown on the run-in and he kept up the gallop to win a shade comfortably by four lengths from Staffordshire Knot (8/11f).

Largy Hill was last seen winning a staying maiden hurdle at Cork in January while Staffordshire Knot realised €510,000 at the recent Caldwell Construction dispersal sale at Tattersalls Ireland.

Willie Mullins said: "Largy Hill did everything right and that was a good effort. You could see his jumping was that of an ex-point-to-pointer, compared to Stoke The Fire (stablemate, finished third) who was novicey and What Path (fourth) jumped a bit left.

"I was very happy with Stoke The Fire and that will bring him on hugely. 

"The winner is a big chasing type and it is nice to win a prize like this. I doubt he'll go to Cheltenham and will wait until Fairyhouse instead."

Paddy Power made Largy Hill 12/1 from 16/1 for the Albert Bartlett (non runner money back).

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes

About Michael Graham
Michael has worked in horse racing journalism for more than 15 years, having also written a weekly betting column on Gaelic football and hurling for a newspaper. He is involved in writing the My Racing Story features on this website. He spent a year in South Africa completing a Diploma in Business Administration and also studied Newspaper Journalism in Belfast. He enjoys playing 5-a-side football on a regular basis.