Bridge benefits as Chambord blunders

Fortune favoured West Bridge in the mares maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse as a last flight blunder by Chambord Du Lys gifted her victory.

Roger Loughran was hard at work on the Sandra Hughes-trained West Bridge going to the last in the two-and-a-half mile contest as 4/9 shot Chambord Du Lys travelled ominously to challenge.

The hotpot got it all wrong at the last, however, and Ruby Walsh performed heroics to stay in the saddle.

West Bridge (9/2) stuck on on the run-in as Chambord Du Lys tried in vain to recover, getting to within half a length of the winner at the line.

“We had a bit of luck there but sure you take it when it’s given to you,” admitted Hughes.

“We’ve always thought a lot of her and she’s been second a good few times so it’s lovely for her owners that she’s won today.

“The pace probably wasn’t as strong as she’d like and she was jumping her way to the front which probably isn’t ideal.

“She’ll come on an awful lot from that today. The cheekpieces today just helped her concentrate a little bit more and she jumps great.

“She’s a real chaser in time, you see the size of her, and it’s only now she’s really right. It’s taken so long to get her to develop into herself.

“She’ll be a fabulous chaser in time but she’ll stay over hurdles this season and go chasing next year.

“She’s probably a real staying mare. She keeps going all the time and doesn’t mind that ground. She’s a nice one to have.

“If we could get a bit of black-type it would be fantastic for her.”

Drama at @Fairyhouse... pic.twitter.com/4I4Ay3Pnb2

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) January 25, 2017