Backtonormal, predominantly blue, heads for home© Photo Healy Racing
Backtonormal had form behind Blizzard Of Oz and Answer To Kayf and got his revenge on both of them when delivering in the Connolly's RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Hurdle Series Final at Punchestown.
Paul Townend had ridden a patient race on board the favourite Blizzard Of Oz who strongly challenged Backtonormal at the final flight, however, he blundered there and Backtonormal didn't need an invite to set sail for home on the run-in.
Sean Flanagan did the steering on the 7/1 winner and had produced him to claim Answer To Kayf on the run to the final flight.
Answer To Kayf (11/4) was beaten two and three-quarter lengths into second with Black Bamboo (11/2) rallying to shade third from Blizzard Of Oz.
This was Backtonormal's stable debut for Gavin Cromwell having formerly been with Mags Mullins.
Cromwell said: “Tom Furlong (part owner) put in my first gallop and he’s a great fella. He runs in Darren Cahill’s colours who is also a great supporter of the yard as well. It’s a great pot to win.
“It’s his first run for me - Mags had him and he was banging on the door.
“It was an obvious target and we just had enough time to transition from Mags’ to here. His form was good and I thought he’d run well.
“He stayed well and it looks like he’ll make a nice chaser.”
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
