Ballyadam gets off the mark over fences

Grade 1-winner Ballyadam bridged a long gap between wins today, landing a neat renewal of Wexford's MSK Silversands Beginners Chase for Gold Cup winners Cheveley Park Stud, jockey Rachael Blackmore and trainer Henry De Bromhead.

The eight-year-old's previous success came in Fairyhouse's top-level Royal Bond Novice Hurdle in November 2020 and while unsuccessful subsequently, had finished fifth in Cheltenham's County Hurdle in March.

Having his fourth chase start, Ballyadam improved to dispute the lead jumping the last alongside Hubrisko and Joyeux Machin which blundered, and on the run-in finished well to beat Hubrisko.

Blackmore, with her second winner in as many days, stated “it's great to see him get his head in front again.

“We were hoping that he'd be able to do something like that, he had a very good run the last day and he battled really well today. He was a little bit in my hands, but he battled really well down over the last and he stayed well."

Quotes from Donal Murphy