Pure Genius finally fulfils French promise with 52-length maiden hurdle romp

Good things were expected of Pure Genius when he came to Ireland, but he had been beaten in five maiden hurdles before finally getting things right in spectacular fashion in the 3m½f maiden hurdle.

The step up in trip seemed to really suit this imposing six-year-old, who made all under Mark Walsh by an emphatic 52 lengths. Odds-on favourite Fantasio D'Alene finished second with the remainder well strung out.

Trainer Ted Walsh said: "That is the first time I have seen him run close to what he is. He came with a good reputation from France and I thought he was a nice horse last year but he was disappointing.

"Maybe he always wanted three miles and heavy ground. He jumped well and probably the main danger [Mahler Allstar] didn't run. He's a big raw horse, he's 17 hands, and he'll make a nice chaser next season."

Say strikes again

The Gavin Cromwell-trained You Say Nothing followed up a victory at Down Royal last month by landing the amateur riders' handicap hurdle, giving jockey Joey Dunne his second winner.

It was achieved in similar fashion as he nicked a length or two at the start, built up a big advantage and found plenty once getting a breather to win by 15 lengths from Spare Brakes.

Cromwell said: "He got a freebie at the start, got a nice lead and Joey got his fractions right.

"He's a big, strong horse and he gallops through that ground. We'll look for the same again. He's well schooled over fences and that's where he'll go eventually."

There was some comment afterwards as to the fairness of the start, and the stewards inquired before deciding starter Pat Malone had conducted a fair beginning to the race.

There was a bit of a gap between the leaders and back markers as they jumped off, but there did not appear much urgency from the riders towards the back of the field to get a bit closer to the front as the starter let them go, and he was right not to wait all day.

Fields follows up

Henry de Bromhead has a nice progressive handicap hurdler in homebred Low Lie The Fields and he followed up a win at Limerick over Christmas in the 2m4f novice handicap hurdle.

The seven-year-old looked in a bit of trouble turning out of the back straight but he stayed on strongly for Rachael Blackmore to strike by three and a half lengths.

"He seems to be improving the whole time and he stayed at it really well. I think we'll probably step him up in trip. He jumps really well, and hopefully over fences next year he'll be better again," said De Bromhead.

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