Folsom Blue© Photo Healy Racing
Folsom Blue won a second renewal of the BoyleSports National Trial Handicap Chase at Punchestown today, landing the E100,000 race for his new trainer Gordon Elliott, jockey Jack Kennedy and joint-owner and Attheraces presenter Gary O'Brien.
Folsom Blue looked beaten in the 3m4f contest when headed by at the final fence by Isleofhopendreams but showed abundant stamina to catch the new leader on the run-in, and eventually record a length and a half win.
The winning Core Partnership, which includes presenter O'Brien, formerly raced Elliott's Ascot Ladbroke Hurdle winner Bayan and today were rewarded with Folsom Blue's own biggest biggest payday, with a E59,000 first prize.
Somewhat ironically, given the current Attheraces pictures debacle, Folsom Blue's previous biggest 'pot' had come in the 2014 renewal, when the race was worth E20,800 to the winner and sponsored by 'Free Trial at racinguk.com'.
Trainer Elliott was completing a double on the day, having also won the earlier Listed Hurdle with Hardline and later said “Gary (O'Brien) was responsible for buying him, he picked him out at the sales (for 21,000GBP last September) so it's great.
“He's a great honest horse and we sent him to England last week and they went no gallop (when finishing fourth). It was a bit of a worry coming back a week later.
“He kind of jammed on at the last but other than that Jack said he jumped well. He said if he had something with him he would have jumped the last better but it worked out great and everyone is happy.
“He'll go for the Irish National now.”
The win moves Elliott, who earlier won the Listed Hurdle with Hardline, E300,000 ahead of Willie Mullins at the head of the Trainers' Championship and BoyleSports, who also sponsor the E500,000 Irish Grand National on Easter Monday, also later cut Folsom Blue to 20/1 for that showpiece race.
Quotes from Gary Carson
