Swing of fortune for Baldur's Gate

Baldur's Gate (11/1) closed the door on a recent disappointment when registering a maiden success today, landing Punchestown's Ladbrokes 'We Play Together' Handicap Chase, for trainer Denise O'Shea, the Wild Rover Syndicate and jockey James Hannon.

Hannon, point-to-pointing's Southern Champion for 2021/22, produced Baldur's Gate from mid-field to lead at the second-last before scoring by 13 lengths from He Fitz In

O'Shea revealed “that was his first time over the trip although Rachael (Blackmore) was always telling me to go three miles.

“Rachael had been doing a great job and had the good sense to pull him up at Thurles when the ground was too quick but then I jocked her off! I’m delighted for James though who has been a good friend for years and gave him a great spin. I just felt that he needed the 7lb (claim) over the extended trip.”

She added “we’ve always thought he was a nice horse and he just had a few niggly problems and our vet Amy Fitzgerald has done a lot of work with him.

“This horse is a real gent, I bought him off Aidan Fitzgerald, Tina Condon rides him out at home everyday and is a huge part of my team along with her daughter Ava.

“He’s a big boy so we’ll give a bit of time and pick something at Christmas.”

Quotes from Alan Magee