Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- Home
- News
Donal Murphy
Blair provides Lupini with second success
Natalia Lupini (second from right) and Kieren Fallon with the happy connections of Blairmayne
© Photo Healy Racing
Natalia Lupini recorded her second success in the training ranks, as her Blairmayne landed the Coral.ie Bet 5 Get 20 In Free Bets Handicap under Kieren Fallon for the Raintree Racing Partnership.
Lupini, who registered her first success with Alnahar at Dundalk in January, is originally from Milan and trains in the village of Scarva on the Armagh, Down border.
Blairmayne, who is a three-year-old son of Zebedee, wasn't beaten far on a couple of occasions last year. He was a good fourth to Elusive In Paris on his last start at Dundalk in April, and he was sent off an 8/1 chance this evening.
Settled behind the leaders on the outer, he was sixth entering the straight. He improved into third from two furlongs out, and he swept through to lead with over a furlong to race, keeping on well under pressure from there to score by two and a quarter lengths. Three Majors was sent off the 3/1 favourite and he finished second under Ronan Whelan for Paul Deegan, while Pillar (20/1) was a short head back in third under Colm O'Donoghue for Adrian McGuinness. Jaguar Paw (7's to 6's on-course) completed the placings a further length and a quarter back in fourth under Colin Keane for David Christie.
Lupini said afterwards: "I'm very pleased with him. Kieren gave him a great ride from the draw as we were a bit concerned about it. We thought a good jockey could defeat a bad draw.
"He's in again over six furlongs next week and we'll see what the handicapper thinks.
"He seems in good form and has been working very well at home. Hopefully he'll run again next week, we'll see how he comes out of the race."
Additional reporting by Gary Carson