Flaxen Flare signals his intent

Galway Hurdle runner-up Flaxen Flare had no difficulty in landing the odds of 1/9 in the corkracecourse.ie Hurdle over two miles.

The four-year-old in the blinkers only faced two rivals – Massini’s Trap and Choisilady – and never came off the bridle in winning the 8,970 euro first prize.

Choisilady, the 33/1 outsider, took the small field along with Flaxen Flare settled just off her in second and a break then to Massini’s Trap.

Flaxen Flare then jumped into the lead at the third last and cantered away from her rivals. Ruby Walsh drove Massini’s Trap into second, but a slick jump at the last from the favourite enabled Davy Condon to look over his shoulder as his charge strolled home.

Walsh kept at Massini’s Trap (6/1) and the pair closed to within a length, however, they were never on terms.

Successful trainer Gordon Elliott said: “It was an ideal race for him and he jumped around nice and safe.

“He’ll have a little break and come back for the Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot in October/November time. We might find a little flat race for him as well.”

Elliott won last year’s renewal of the Listed Ladbroke Hurdle at Ascot in December with 25/1 shot Cause Of Causes.

Flaxen Flare won the Grade 3 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

This was Elliott’s ninth winner from his last 19 runners.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes