Champion candidate wins Red Mills Hurdle

Gowran's rescheduled Red Mills Trial Hurdle was moved to Fairyhouse today and won by Jason The Militant which made all the running to score under jockey Rachael Blackmore and for trainer Henry De Bromhead.

Dubbed the 'Red mms Hurdle' today due to two heavy-rainfall abandonments at traditional home Gowran Park, today's prestigious Grade 3 race was contested on soft to heavy ground.

Jason The Militant made all, raced with enthusiasm and comfortably beat Petit Mouchoir by seven and a half lengths, with Skybet later cutting the winning seven year old's price to 25/1 for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle next month.

Following the race De Bromhead stated “that was brilliant and I'm delighted for Peter Michael (owner).

“He's having a really good season but it's nice to win one as well, and he won it well. We've always thought a lot of him, that's his second graded win and he was just chinned in a Grade 1.

“He's in the Champion Hurdle and we'll see. I think ground is important to him, he wants a good ease. He is improving all the time, has won over 1m2f here on the Flat so he's got gears and the Aintree Hurdle is another interesting option.

“We'll see what Peter would like to do, it's not everyday you have a contender for the Champion Hurdle.”

He added “I just have a feeling that he might be better on a flatter track but that's just a theory.

“We're delighted to win today, we targeted this race.”

The win moves jockey Blackmore to within one of Paul Townend (82-81) at the head of this season's Jockeys' Championship.

Quotes from Gary Carson