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Reports15 January 2025

Beckett Rock and Rachael Blackmore last home to deny Bunting in dramatic Munster Hurdle

Beckett Rock: scored under Rachael Blackmore
Beckett Rock: scored under Rachael Blackmore Credit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

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The Henry de Bromhead-trained Beckett Rock showed a resolute attitude under Rachael Blackmore to fend off odds-on favourite Bunting in a dramatic five-runner Munster Hurdle.

Owned by Michael O'Flynn, Beckett Rock produced a display of significant promise when powering 15 lengths clear in a maiden hurdle at Gowran in November 2023, but suffered a setback which meant he didn't reappear until last month when he finished fourth in a conditions hurdle at Punchestown.

The eight-year-old seemed to have come on plenty for his reappearance effort, particularly in the jumping department, as Blackmore sat handy on the 5-1 shot disputing the lead with the Willie Mullins-trained 5-6 favourite Bunting.

The contest was bubbling up nicely coming to two out where Beckett Rock and Bunting were joined by the well-backed 7-4 chance Got Glory, also trained by Mullins.

Got Glory possibly took off in front but Danny Mullins' mount knuckled on landing to leave Beckett Rock and Bunting to fight out the finish, with Blackmore's mount sticking his head down to last home by three-quarters of a length.

“It was nice to see him step forward from his first run," said De Bromhead. "He got a bit lost the last day after getting hurt after he won on his debut at Gowran. Michael has been really patient with him and it’s nice to see his patience being rewarded. 

"He looked nice at Gowran and he toughed it out there."

Shinnick shines

Jockey John Shinnick steered home a 51-1 double as he partnered the Marie Harding-trained Grainne A Chroi to victory in the 2m1f maiden hurdle, before guiding home the Terence O'Brien-trained Bossofthebus to a three-and-a-half-length success in the concluding 2m4f handicap hurdle.

A return to a softer surface suited 11-2 shot Grainne A Chroi, who travelled powerfully under Shinnick en route to a seven-and-a-half-length victory over Twentyfourcarrot, with 1-2 favourite Karma D'Airy a well-beaten third.

The 5lb claimer made it two wins from as many rides in the last when Bossofthebus made all at odds of 7-1.

O'Brien was full of praise for the rider as well as sparing a thought for one of the six-year-old owners.

"I’m delighted for [owners] Ger Finn and Eamonn Hickey, who are good supporters. Ger only lost his wife a couple of weeks ago, so hopefully it's a good tonic for him."

"It’s great for John to ride a double. He's a great lad, who comes into us twice a week, and for a 5lb claimer he is worth his weight in gold.”

Fantastic Funiculi 

Willie Mullins and Paul Townend finally got off the mark in the 2m1f maiden hurdle as new recruit and 4-7 favourite Funiculi Funicula ran out an emphatic 17-length winner.

Paddy Power were sufficiently impressed to cut the five-year-old into 16-1 (from 33) for the Supreme Novices' Hurdle, and 20-1 (from 40) for the Turners.


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