Search
Cheltenham 2024
- Main Site
- Cheltenham Home
- Cheltenham Cards
- Cheltenham Results
- Cheltenham Offers
- Cheltenham Odds
- Cheltenham Tips
- Cheltenham News
- Prestbury Cup
- Cheltenham Videos
-
Cheltenham Statistics
- Leading Trainer
- Leading Jockeys
- Leading Owners
- Previous Years
- Previous Appearances
- Breeding Profile of Winners
- Lady Jockeys at The Festival
- Leading Jockey Award Winners
- Most Successful Jockeys of All Time
- Current Jockeys Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Jockey In..
- Leading Trainer Award Winners
- Most Successfull Trainer All Time
- Current Trainers Competing at Cheltenham
- Most Successful Trainer In..
- Cheltenham Trainer/Runner Index
- Desktop Site
Cheltenham 2024
- irishracing.com
- Cheltenham
- News
- Red Azalea gains a deserved maiden victory
Alan Magee
Red Azalea gains a deserved maiden victory
Red Azalea and Gavin Ryan
© Photo Healy Racing
Red Azalea opened her account at the ninth attempt when making most to land the SP Or Better Guaranteed With Tote Maiden at Ballinrobe.
The Galileo filly has come up against some useful sorts this year including the likes of Above The Curve and Emily Dickinson and was well-backed here into 8/13 favouritism.
Donnacha O’Brien’s charge was challenged by chief market rival Roman Bull a furlong out but got well on top in the closing stages to score by two-and-a-half-lengths under Gavin Ryan.
The pair had the race between them in the straight with Lady Tanzanite a further eight-and-a-half-lengths away in third.
Ryan said, "She has a lovely pedigree and she’s run into some very smart types, so I suppose you could say she’s been unlucky all the way along.
“She’s very versatile in terms of trip and ground. All her form has been very consistent over a range of trips.
“I thought from the bottom of the straight Billy (Lee, on Roman Bull) was coming to me well and that he was going to go by me, but in fairness to my filly she battled on well.
"I think she appreciates a bit of light as well, and when she got into the straight and got her head back up she seemed to gallop out a good winner.”
Quotes by Mark Nunan