Winner Jungle Boogie chases tiring leader Classic Getaway at the last© Photo Healy Racing
Jungle Boogie (10/1) provided trainer Henry De Bromhead with the opening leg of a big-races Ireland-England double today in landing Tramore's Savills New Year's Day Chase, with Bob Olinger later doubling-up in Cheltenham's Reelkeel Hurdle.
Recent renewals of the Tramore race were won by Cheltenham Gold Cup victors and while today's Grade 3 was won by less illustrious Jungle Boogie (10/1), he completed consecutive wins in the race for trainer Henry De Bromhead.
The past five renewals were won by Cheltenham Gold Cup victors with Al Boum Photo bagging four renewals from 2019-'22 and, memorably, Minella Indo providing De Bromhead with a hero's reception following last year's success.
In today's race, run on testing ground, both Jungle Boogie and Classic Getaway went clear in the final half-mile and while the front-running winner was headed by Classic Getaway at the second-last, gamely rallied to retake the lead on the run-in, scoring by a length.
Third-placed Minella Crooner had earlier been outpaced but finishing fastest and closed to within a half-length of runner-up Classic Getaway.
De Bromhead was at Cheltenham where Bob Olinger won the Grade 2 Reelkeel Hurdle, and at Tramore, winning jockey Darragh O'Keeffe reported “Henry said to make the running and was adamant to go a nice gallop as he won his beginners doing that.
“He jumped very well bar the fence at the top of the hill the first time and kept at it well. He wasn't beaten far the last day against the best of the two-milers in Ireland (behind El Fabiolo in Cork's Hilly Way Chase) and stayed on really well. For a horse that wants a trip, he travels really well.
“Today's track was plenty tight for him, he is a big, big horse so thankfully he got the job done. For a horse who is ten, he has had only five runs and been beaten just once, so obviously has loads of ability.
“I'm delighted to win this race, especially after having three seconds earlier on and when l saw Danny coming to me, I thought 'not again'! I'm very grateful to connections for giving me the spin on him.”
Quotes from Donal Murphy
