Blacklough takes to fences well

The first race on the final day of the Listowel Harvest Festival looked a match on paper between Blacklough and Plan A, but when the latter was declared a non runner due to a stone bruise the former took full advantage.

Blacklough was a useful hurdler and was making his debut over fences in this two mile one beginners’ chase. He was fully expected to make a winning start to his steeplechasing career as he was sent off the 4/7 favourite.

Barry Geraghty was on board and guided his charge into the lead jumping the second last. The pair forged on and took the spoils by four lengths from It’s All An Act at 20/1. Old Laxey looked in trouble a long way from home, but found more and kept on for third another four and a half lengths adrift. Sin Miedo jumped well as he raced prominently on the outside, but a bad mistake at the third last stopped him in his tracks. He came home fourth.

Trainer Willie Austin said: “It’s nice to be able to come and win first time out over fences. He had a bit of class over hurdles. He was running in some good handicaps and he was never beaten too far.

“He did that terribly well and Barry said he’s a super jumper. He could have been foolish at a few, but he put himself right and he’s clever enough. We weren’t able to school him that much because of the hard ground.

“He’ll stay novice chasing. He might have to meet some of the better one, but it’s a bit early in the year yet and he might get another one in before they arrive. Two and a half is as far as he would like to go.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson