Naturally Blond and Darragh O'Keeffe © Photo Healy Racing
On his first run since last August, 40/1 chance Naturally Blond was an emphatic winner of the Dawn Hi Lo Handicap Hurdle (Div I).
The 11-year-old gelding by Bach, who was only 8/1 overnight, was prominent throughout and quickly recovered from a bad mistake three out to come home seven and a half lengths in front of Finding Joy (20/1).
There was a lot of market support for Dreamy Leamy (25s this morning into 3/1 favourite) but he could manage only fifth place.
It was a first win in three years for Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount, but he had been beaten just a short head at Tramore last summer.
He’s trained in Doneraile by owner/breeder Patrick Cronin who said: “I’m delighted Darragh rode the winner as I travelled a lot with his grandfather Johnny who was a champion point-to-point rider and was also from Doneraile.
“He can make mistakes and is a funny old horse. He can come down the gallop at home quicker than he’d go up. He’s a funny horse that way and has a bit of a mind of his own.
“He runs well when he’s fresh and we gave him a good break. Darragh beat him in a photo-finish at Tramore last year.
“He’s in a beginners’ chase at Tipperary on Sunday but it’s unlikely he’ll run. I’d say after his first run back for a while we’ll wait for another handicap in about a fortnight’s time.
“He wouldn’t want to make that kind of mistake over fences. We’ll probably stick with hurdles now that he’s going well.
“He’s the only horse that I have in training at the moment. I’ve three or four coming in for the point-to-points so that will give me a bit of a lift.”
Quotes from Alan Magee
