Summerville Boy gets off the mark for De Bromhead

Summerville Boy won his first race since joining Henry De Bromhead when benefiting from an excellent front running ride from Rachael Blackmore to win the End Of The Season Hurdle at Thurles.

The former Supreme Novices Hurdle winner was making just his third start for the County Waterford trainer, having switched from Tom George last November.

Sent straight to the front by Blackmore, the veteran jumped well throughout and had most of his rivals in trouble leaving the back straight with two to jump.

However, Paul Townend was still travelling easily aboard Asterion Forlonge and that one came to join Summerville Boy on the run to the last. To his credit, the winner found plenty when asked for more and responded to go right away on the run in.

Rachael Blackmore said: "he had been doing things nicely, had been schooling well and were hoping to get a day like that out of him. My lad is a lot fitter (than Asterion Forlonge) so had that on his side and that was a help."

Regarding her win on Honeysuckle she added "it was an incredible week and Tuesday was a day I'll never forget.

"That feeling from the very top of the chute, the whole way back in, the whole way back around into the winner's enclosure, with the masses of crowds all looking at her, was incredible.

"Every letter I get in the post from kids mentions Honeysuckle so there are a lot of people cheering me on and I'm delighted for everyone that we delivered on Tuesday. In this sport it doesn't always happen so it is fantastic.

"I was feeling the pressure on the build-up and you wouldn't be human if you weren't feeling it but it is a class position to be in. She was really on song and it is a big thanks to the team and to Henry."

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes