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
Raphael best in Galway opener
Archangel Raphael draws away under Joseph O'Brien
© Photo Healy Racing
Archangel Raphael justified 11/10 favouritism in the Donnelly's Of Barna European Breeders Fund Maiden for Aidan and Joseph O'Brien.
It was always likely that the pace-setting Bunk Off Early would come back to them but favourite backers would have been worried
Aidan O'Brien 'rowed' along out on the dip.
The Montjeu colt began to hit top gear wide into the straight but it was only when receiving a crack of the whip inside the final furlong that the Killarney second placer extended away to beat Sarah Joyce by two lengths.
Aidan O'Brien said: "At halfway I thought it wasn't going to happen. He is still green but he came home very well and he will get further than a mile.
"They might have went very fast. Joseph took his time on him and when he met the hill he might have just got a bit of a fright as he wouldn't have met those undulations at home.
"The last day he got to the front and was just out battled. He holds plenty of entries and he is in the Beresford."
D.P. McDonogh, rider of Frozen Lake (USA), trained by John M. Oxx, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not handle the track.
The Turf Club Veterinary Officer examined Frozen Lake (USA), trained by John M. Oxx, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.
(DM & EM)