Toss Again (left) leads over the second last© Photo Healy Racing
Henry de Bromhead landed the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase for the fourth time in seven years as Toss Again put in an exemplary round of jumping to land the €80,000 2m6f event.
The six-year-old gelding won twice over hurdles last year and, having made a winning start over fences at Limerick last time, an initial chase mark of 130 proved popular as Darragh O’Keeffe’s mount was supported from overnight quotes of 11/1 to go off at half those odds.
The 11/2 chance was prominent throughout and jumped from fence to fence to stretch his rivals on the final circuit.
The 9/2 favourite Good Bye Sam looked a threat at the final two fences in the dip but it was Quantum Realm who ultimately proved the biggest danger.
However, Toss Again stayed on strongly under pressure inside the final furlong to beat Quantum Realm by a length and three quarters.
Good Bye Sam was a further four lengths back in third with The Dabbler another 11 lengths away in fourth.
De Bromhead said, "I'm delighted for Tom O'Connor, his owner. He and his brother and his mum are here so that's great.
“He was brilliant and Darragh was brilliant on him. It's only his first run in a handicap and second run over fences, obviously he lacked experience but his jumping is savage and he was brilliant the whole way.
“I thought it (handicap rating) was fair, off his hurdle mark. We hoped he had improved for fences, he won his beginners chase nicely in Limerick. The lack of experience around here (was a worry) but you wouldn't have thought it with the way he jumped.
“He really stayed at it and I thought Darragh gave him a super ride.
“We won't rush, today was the plan and he's still a novice. He has options.
“He probably prefers nicer ground, I'd say he's better on better ground.”
Additional reporting by Gary Carson
